United Airlines Further Improves Airport Security Experience with the Opening of Automated Screening Lanes at Chicago O'Hare

United becomes the first U.S.-based airline to open automated screening lanes at multiple airports

News provided by

Nov 14, 2016, 10:45 ET

CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today further modernized the airport security experience by becoming the first U.S.-based carrier to feature state-of-the-art, automated screening lanes at multiple airports with the opening of its fully redesigned TSA Precheck® security checkpoint in Terminal 1 at the airline's hometown hub of Chicago O'Hare. Additionally, United becomes the first and only airline in the country to exclusively dedicate automated lanes to a TSA Precheck® security checkpoint, continuing to increase efficiency and improve the screening experience for its customers.

The new lanes enable up to five customers to fill their individual bins simultaneously and move through the screening process quicker, even if TSA agents need to perform additional screening on a customer further up the queue. The lanes also utilize a parallel conveyor system that automatically returns empty bins to the front of the queue.

"As the first and only U.S.-based airline to launch automated screening lanes in multiple airports, United continues its commitment to using the latest technology to meet the changing needs of our customers and improve the airport experience," said Greg Hart, United's executive vice president and chief operations officer.

"We are very appreciative of the ongoing collaboration between TSA and our industry partners such as United," said TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger. "Working together in our efforts to deploy effective, state-of-the-art technologies such as these automated lanes in Terminal 1 at O'Hare furthers TSA's ability to fulfill its security mission while also enhancing the travel experience."

"Establishing these automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints is an important part of sustaining the success we achieved since last spring," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "We've gone from an unacceptable 104 minute wait time at peak hours at O'Hare to some of the shortest in the country among major airports. With the will, and the right technology, we will continue this progress. And I want to thank United Airlines for opening the latest automated screening lanes here at O'Hare."

The opening of the newly redesigned security checkpoint and three automated screening lanes at O'Hare marks the latest step in United's ongoing strategy to use the latest technology to ensure customers have a reliable experience during their travels. Last month, the airline launched automated screening lanes at its hub in Los Angeles and expects to open automated lanes at Newark Liberty International Airport, the airline's premier Trans-Atlantic gateway, before Thanksgiving. When United, in collaboration with the TSA, completes the installation, the newly centralized security checkpoint at Terminal C in Newark Liberty will feature 17 automated lanes.

In addition to installing automated screening lanes, United is building and redesigning checkpoints at several hubs throughout the airline's network that will dramatically improve the customer experience. Key initiatives include:

Installing audio and visual enhancements utilizing cutting-edge technology in the security queuing area to provide customers with more information.
Consolidating four checkpoints into one new, centralized checkpoint at Newark Liberty.
Redesigning security checkpoints at Chicago O'Hare.
Constructing a new, state-of-the-art customer check-in area and a consolidated security screening checkpoint in Terminal 7 at Los Angeles International Airport.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737NGs, 787s and 777s, as well as six used Airbus A319 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO

SOURCE United Airlines