In addition to the usual ways to get ready for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, there are several other options to consider.
Flying this Fourth of July? Don't miss these expert travel tips!
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United Airlines recently
To ensure a smooth experience for the millions of travelers during this busy season, Linda Jojo, United's Chief Customer Officer, has been working diligently. With nearly a decade of experience at United and previous roles leading Digital and Technology, Jojo recently discussed the airline's busiest period so far and provided helpful advice for passengers.
The top destinations United will be operating flights to include Orlando (MCO), London (LHR), Seattle (SEA), Honolulu (HNL), and Boston (BOS). The peak travel days for United over the holiday week are June 29th, 2024 and July 7th, 2024.
For those still looking for a last-minute deal this Fourth of July weekend, we've identified some discounted United flights, including from Newark to Boston for $337, Nashville for $364, and Austin for $490, as well as from Chicago to Philadelphia for $296.
With so many passengers filling the planes and airports, Jojo shared some of her top tips to help make travel smooth and efficient during this busy period…
1. Keep your app up-to-date and utilize live activity features
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Many experienced travelers always download an airline's app, and Jojo provided some special recommendations to enhance the experience even further.
Jojo emphasized that having the latest version of the app is crucial, especially during disruptions like the recent thunderstorms over the weekend. He recommended enabling the Live Activities feature on Apple iPhones, which displays a dynamic island on the screen with a countdown timer until boarding, seat information, and real-time gate data.
The airline has recently updated their app to include new features that help travelers navigate the airport more efficiently. Jojo shared that the technology team at United has been driven to find ways for the app to minimize the time passengers spend in the airport. In fact, the app can save travelers up to 30 minutes per airport visit compared to non-app users. One such feature is a baggage shortcut that can save 5-7 minutes from waiting in the normal checked bag line.
2. Check the weather forecast in advance and stay informed about traffic and construction updates
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The airline acknowledges that they're doing everything within their control to keep passengers moving but there are various factors beyond their control that can disrupt travel plans, such as weather conditions and traffic.
Jojo encourages all passengers to closely monitor the weather forecast several days before their scheduled flight departure, as well as any changes in road conditions or traffic closures. Many airports have received $1 billion for critical infrastructure upgrades in 2023, and these ongoing construction projects could potentially cause delays in the traffic flow around the airports. As an example, Seattle's SeaTac Airport currently has 120 projects underway, and the airport has warned travelers that they may encounter traffic jams or delays during peak travel times.
The Port of Seattle has shared that if passengers haven't visited Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for some time, they should be prepared to see significant changes. The construction activities are noticeable, with 120 projects underway as part of the Upgrade SEA initiative, which is investing $5 billion over the next 5 years.
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3. Watch out for "line busters" – ways to skip the queue
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United will also increase the amount of "line busting" – where their staff members will quickly go through the line to see if they can help resolve customer problems before they even reach the counter. This is intended to help the lines move more efficiently. Jojo explained that many of the customer issues can be easily resolved within the app, without the need to interact with an agent.
Here's what Jojo shared, describing this line-busting process:
"We actually go through the line and ask people why they're there, and often they don't realize that the information they need is already available in the app. We show them, and then they're able to go on their way."
For Jojo's upcoming Fourth of July plans, she'll be visiting the Adirondacks region in Upstate New York. She mentioned that she'll be flying United for this trip and will be sure to allow plenty of time to catch her flight.
