US carrier United Airlines has today revealed a new interactive tool to help passengers plan where to go. The Destination Travel Guide is a responsive map which gives information on COVID-related restrictions and closures state by state in the US, at a click.
Keeping up with the changes
With the travel situation continually changing, it can be hard to keep up with where’s open, where’s not and what the requirements are for different states. To help travelers plan their trips more easily, United Airlines has unveiled a brand new resource that it says is a first among US airlines.
Announced today, a new interactive map tool that United Airlines is calling the ‘Destination Travel Guide’ uses color-coding to determine the situation in states around the US. People planning a trip to another state can simply click on that location and find out everything they need to know before they visit.
As well as defining entry requirements, for example, whether the state requires a negative COVID test before arrival, the database also provides a bunch of practical information that travelers will be pleased to receive. This includes things like whether non-essential shops are open, whether restaurants and museums are open, and whether masks are required in public places.
Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President for Technology and Chief Digital Officer, commented in a statement to Simple Flying,
"We know it's a challenge to keep up with the ever-changing list of travel restrictions, policies and regulations so we are offering a simple, easy tool that helps customers decide where to travel next.
“By providing the most up-to-date information on the destinations we serve, customers can compare and shop for travel with greater confidence and help them find the destinations that best fit their preferences."
The map is free to use, and you don’t have to be a United Airlines flier or MileagePlus member in order to access it. Check it out for yourself here.
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All part of the new normal
United Airlines has developed the map as part of its CleanPlus program, designed to enhance the travel experience for all its customers. From check in to landing, the airline has introduced more than a dozen new protocols and policies, designed to keep employees and customers safe.
These include things like,
- Mandatory face coverings onboard
- State of the art HEPA filters on all aircraft
- Electrostatic spraying of aircraft before departure
- Passenger declarations of no COVID symptoms prior to boarding
- UV sanitization of aircraft
Most recently, the airline has introduced a new touchless check-in facility, where passengers can print their own boarding pass at a kiosk and produce bag tags without having to touch the screen.
United has also launched a new chat function, known as the United Automated Assistant, to give customers the answers they need to any questions about cleaning and safety in an instant. Despite United’s efforts to get people back onboard, the airline still expects to furlough up to 16,000 employees come October.