United adds a popular app feature to the latest Apple Watches

Travelers flying with United Airlines equipped with the newest Apple Watches will have fewer reasons to miss their flights.

This week, the Chicago-based airline revealed its support for Live Activities on the Apple Watch. This feature enables travelers to easily access flight details—like real-time boarding times, gate changes, and a countdown to departure—simply by glancing at their wrist.

Live Activities automatically displays the most relevant and timely information you need throughout your travel day with United. To find Live Activities, check the Smart Stack on your Apple Watch by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

Within the Smart Stack, the United widget will automatically be the first and most noticeable element during your travel day. This widget will display crucial real-time information such as your gate number, seat assignment, or baggage carousel details.

By tapping the Live Activity notification, you will open the United app, where you can access your boarding pass and additional detailed flight information.

In 2023, United became the first airline to launch Live Activities on its premier iPhone app. These widget-style notifications emerge from the Dynamic Island on the latest iPhone models. According to United, these notifications have already assisted "millions of travelers" since their introduction.

This year, Apple introduced support for Live Activities on the Apple Watch as part of WatchOS 11. Travelers will need an Apple Watch compatible with this latest OS and the updated United app to access Live Activities. The new Watch Series 10, launched last month with the largest display ever, comes preloaded with the new operating system.

I haven't had the chance to test the new feature during a flight yet, but the airline showcased what the widget looks like prior to departure in an exclusive media demonstration.

I was able to see a live countdown to my flight along with a notification reminding me to check in. Tapping the widget opened the United app on my iPhone, displaying my boarding pass instantly without any issues.

"United is continuously seeking innovative ways to utilize technology to enhance our customers' travel experience, and this new feature is a significant breakthrough for United passengers," the airline stated in a release to TPG.