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United Airlines texts customers live radar maps during weather delays
United said it will now text customers live radar maps when delays occur due to weather events, to keep them apprised of factors affecting their flight’s status.
The airline wants to keep customers in the loop in the event of delays and provide them with as much information as it can, perhaps to temper passenger frustration when their travel plans are interrupted due to circumstances out of the company’s control.
“United’s latest innovation — real-time radar maps — can help customers understand how inclement weather in one part of the country can impact a flight elsewhere,” United said in a statement announcing the effort.
The company is using generative AI tools to power these and other messages to customers. Previously, United personnel generated flight-related messages sent to customers, announcing things like gate changes or new departure times. The new effort comes just ahead of the busy July 4 holiday travel period, with airports preparing for record-setting numbers of passengers. About 5.74 million people are expected to take to the skies to celebrate Independence Day, up almost 7% from the same period last year, according to AAA.
“With more people traveling this summer than ever, we wanted to give our customers an easier way to stay connected to real-time information about their flight — and texting was the simplest solution,” United’s Chief Information Officer Jason Birnbaum said in a statement Wednesday. “We know customers appreciate transparency — and by combining innovative, technology-enabled tools with people-power, we can give more people even more in-the-moment details about their flight.”
Airline customer service and flight operations team members will assist the AI in generating a customer update “that tells the complete story of a flight change.”
During weather-related disruptions, updates will include links to real-time, local radar maps that help illustrate “how weather in one part of the country can impact a flight elsewhere,” United said.
United has long leveraged technology to communicate with customers, including by providing automatic rebooking assistance so passengers don’t have to stand in a line to talk to an agent in person, and by sending customers real-time flight updates.
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NEW YORK — Drones have been banned from flying over several New Jersey towns, the Federal Aviation Administration confirms to CBS News.
The FAA order covers nearly two dozen towns, including Jersey City, Harrison, Edison, Bayonne and Camden. It will be in effect until Jan. 17.
The order says no unmanned aircraft can operate below 400 feet within one nautical mile of the airspace specified in each area. Additionally, it allows the government to use “deadly force” against the drones if they pose an “imminent security threat.”
“Pilots of aircraft that do not adhere to the procedures in the national security requirements for aircraft operations contained in this section may be intercepted, and/or detained and interviewed by federal, state, or local law enforcement or other government personnel,” the order reads in part.
Several of the zones are centered around infrastructure, like power substations. Others cover areas like the Kearny, New Jersey port and airspace around military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey, or airports such as Newark-Liberty International Airport.
Earlier this month, the Florham Park, New Jersey police chief told residents drone sightings had been reported above “water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations.”
Where are drones banned in New Jersey?
North Jersey:
- Cedar Grove
- Bridgewater
- North Brunswick
- Metuchen
- South Brunswick
- Edison
- Branchburg
- Sewaren
- Jersey City
- Harrison, Essex County
- Elizabeth
- Bayonne
- Clifton
- Kearny
Central Jersey:
South Jersey:
- Burlington
- Evesham
- Camden
- Gloucester City
- Westampton
- Winslow
- Hancocks Bridge, Salem County
See the full order from the FAA here.
Mysterious drones over New Jersey and beyond
Drones sightings have been reported all month long, first over Morris County, New Jersey and then over several other East Coast states.
Federal, state and local officials have been demanding more information about where they are coming from and what’s being done to stop them. The FBI is leading the investigation and tells CBS News it has received thousands of tips.
While the White House says there is no known threat, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more federal resources.
On Wednesday, a push from Sen. Chuck Schumer to give local law enforcement more ways to track drones was blocked in the Senate.
Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.
contributed to this report.