United Airlines has launched a new mobile app feature that lets passengers add themselves to standby lists for multiple earlier flights when they have been rebooked onto a later service due to a delay or cancellation. The update, introduced ahead of the US Labor Day weekend, aims to give travellers more control over recovering from disruptions without needing to speak to a United agent in person or by phone.

The feature allows passengers to join standby lists for up to three earlier flights heading to the same destination as their rebooked flight. United will monitor all three simultaneously and send a text alert when a seat becomes available, letting the customer decide whether to switch; their original confirmed booking remains in place until they do so. United says the tool forms part of a broader push towards self-service recovery options, alongside existing features such as real-time inbound aircraft tracking, TSA wait-time information and AirTag-based baggage location sharing.