United Updates iPhone App With Clever New Feature

United Airlines check-in area at the new LaGuardia Central Terminal

United Airlines announced a new update to its app for the Apple iPhone.

The latest version of the app, 4.4.42, addresses a long-standing issue that the smartphone screen locks at an inopportune moment, such as when you have your boarding pass open and are waiting on line to reach the TSA document checker and find that the screen has locked in the interim.

The problem is not, of course, limited to the United app.

“Now you’re scrambling to unlock your phone,” the airline said in describing the scenario the update addresses.

With the new release, the device won’t auto-lock if a United boarding pass or United Club pass is open.

In addition to the new feature, United said that the new version of the app allows travelers to purchase in-flight Wi-Fi when purchasing a ticket for air travel.

The new version is available from the Apple App Store at no charge.  Membership credentials in United’s MileagePlus frequent-flyer program are required in order to access the app’s features.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)