Top 5 Reasons to Have Your Airline’s App on Your Phone

There are 5 reasons you need your airline’s app on your smartphone before your next trip. From real-time flight updates and mobile boarding passes to tracking your luggage and rebooking canceled flights, these free apps can make traveling easier and far less stressful.

Here’s why we believe every traveler should download their airline’s app before leaving home.

We spend a great deal of time helping our clients plan wonderful travel experiences. And while choosing the right cruise, hotel, or destination is important, sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference when traveling.

Here’s one of our favorite travel tips: Before your next flight, download your airline’s official mobile app and make sure you’re signed in.

Whether you’re flying American, Delta, United, or another major airline, these free apps have become remarkably useful travel companions.

In fact, when flights are delayed, connections are tight, or plans suddenly change, having your airline’s app on your smartphone can make a significant difference.

Here are our top five reasons why we believe every traveler should have their airline’s app installed before leaving home.

1. Get Real-Time Flight Updates Before Everyone Else

Imagine sitting in an airport restaurant enjoying lunch when your departure gate suddenly changes to another terminal.

Without your airline’s app, you might not discover the change until you return to your original gate.

With the app, you can receive notifications directly on your phone about:

• Flight delays and cancellations
• Departure and arrival time changes
• Gate changes
• Boarding announcements
• Connecting flight information

Some airlines even provide updated boarding information directly on your phone’s lock screen.

Our Travel Tip: Make sure you allow push notifications when installing the app. Otherwise, you could miss one of its most valuable features.

2. Keep Your Boarding Pass Right on Your Phone

Remember the days of printing boarding passes at home or standing in line at an airport kiosk?

While paper boarding passes are still available, your airline’s app makes the process considerably easier.

Most airline apps allow you to check in, obtain your mobile boarding pass, and present it at airport security and your departure gate.

You can often save your boarding pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for even easier access.

Another advantage? If your flight information changes, the boarding pass within your airline’s app can reflect updated information.

Our Travel Tip: We recommend saving your boarding pass to your phone’s wallet or taking a screenshot as a backup. That way, you have a copy available even if your internet connection becomes unreliable. Just remember to check the app for any subsequent gate or flight changes.

3. Rebook Your Flight When Travel Plans Go Wrong

This might be the single most important reason to have your airline’s app.

Imagine arriving at the airport only to discover that your flight has been canceled because of bad weather.

Suddenly, hundreds of passengers are rushing to the airline’s customer service counter, and the line seems endless.

Here’s where your airline’s app can be a lifesaver.

Many major airlines now allow passengers to review alternative flights and rebook directly through their mobile apps.

In some cases, you can secure a seat on another flight before you would even reach the front of the customer service line.

Airlines are continually improving these capabilities. Some apps can also provide information about the reason for a disruption and display eligible meal, hotel, or transportation assistance.

Our Travel Tip: If your flight is canceled, open your airline’s app immediately and review your options. You can also contact the airline while checking the app. Acting quickly may give you more choices before alternative flights fill up.

4. Track Your Checked Luggage

Few travel experiences are more frustrating than standing at the baggage carousel wondering whether your suitcase made the same journey you did.

Fortunately, several major airlines now offer baggage tracking through their mobile apps.

Depending on the airline, you may be able to see when your checked luggage has been:

• Accepted at the airport
• Loaded onto an aircraft
• Transferred between connecting flights
• Arrived at your destination

Some apps also provide baggage carousel information, saving you the trouble of searching airport monitors.

This feature can be particularly helpful when traveling internationally or connecting through busy airports.

We recently experienced this firsthand on our return flight from Amsterdam. Using the Delta Air Lines app, we could follow the progress of our checked luggage, including when our bags were checked in and loaded onto the aircraft. It’s reassuring to know that your luggage is making the same journey you are, particularly when connecting through another airport.

Our Travel Tip: Keep your baggage claim receipt until your suitcase has been returned to you. Airline baggage tracking is helpful, but it’s not infallible. We also like the added reassurance of placing an Apple AirTag or similar tracking device inside checked luggage.

5. Have Your Travel Information and Airport Assistance in One Place

Your airline’s app is much more than a digital boarding pass.

Think of it as a convenient travel information center that travels with you.

Depending on your airline, you may be able to:

• Review your flight itinerary and confirmation details
• Check or change seat assignments
• Access airport terminal maps
• Find connecting gates
• Review baggage allowances
• Access frequent flyer information
• Contact airline customer service
• Review travel document requirements
• Find airport lounges

Some airlines even offer interactive airport maps that can help you navigate unfamiliar terminals.

This is particularly valuable when connecting through large airports such as Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, or London Heathrow.

And whenever you’re accessing travel information on airport Wi-Fi, it’s important to protect your personal information. Our guide to staying safe on public Wi-Fi offers practical tips every traveler should know.

Our Travel Tip: Don’t wait until you’re standing in a busy airport to learn how the app works. Spend a few minutes exploring its features at home before your departure.

Set Up Your Airline App Before You Travel

We recommend downloading your airline’s official app several days before your flight.

Once installed, sign in to your frequent flyer account or retrieve your reservation using your confirmation number.

Make certain your upcoming flights appear correctly and that notifications are enabled.

If you’re traveling with a spouse or companion, we recommend that each traveler have the app installed on their own phone.

And if your itinerary involves more than one airline, particularly on an international journey, consider installing the operating airline’s app as well.

Download Your Airline’s App: Before your next trip, visit the official app pages for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United Airlines.

And if you’re traveling internationally, don’t overlook another helpful smartphone tool. We recently wrote about Global Entry’s new Trusted Traveler app, which can help eligible travelers simplify their arrival experience when returning to the United States.

Our Final Thoughts

Travel today involves more moving parts than ever before. Airports are busy, flights are full, and even the best-planned journeys can encounter unexpected disruptions.

While technology certainly can’t eliminate every travel inconvenience, it can give you better information and more control when something unexpected happens.

Your airline’s mobile app is free, generally easy to use, and may save you considerable time and frustration.

Our advice? Don’t leave home without it.

Smarter Travel Starts With Expert Guidance