United Airlines to Allow Check in via Amazon Echo

In what is being billed as an industry-first, United Airlines is now providing passenger check in through Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices, the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot.

For example, passengers can ask “Alexa, ask United what is the status of my flight to San Francisco?” or “Alexa, ask United does United flight 869 have power outlets?” Once a customer’s MileagePlus account is connected with Alexa, he or she will also be able to check in for upcoming U.S. domestic flights using command, “Alexa, ask United to check me in.”

With this new United “skill” for Amazon Alexa, customers can find information about their flights in seconds via Alexa, on the United app (which has been downloaded 29 million times), as well as online at united.com or at the airport.