United Airlines is handing out yet more Apple hardware to its workforce, with 6,000 customer service staff due to get iPhone 6 Plus handsets next year.
Loaded with United’s own backoffice apps, post check-in customer facing tasks like issuing replacement boarding passes, bag tags or amending flight reservations can be completed anywhere within the airport terminal at key US hubs.
United said agents will eventually have access to full check-in systems through the devices, offering almost the same functionality as an airport kiosk.
"Our employees told us they needed better tools to serve our customers, especially during severe weather and busier travel times," Jon Roitman, United’s senior vice president of airport operations.
"We have seen great success with the custom-made tools on the iPhone 6 Plus and believe expanding the use of a smart phone device with other applications is a great investment in our employees."
The move is a step forward for United as part of its recent pledge by recuperating CEO Oscar Munoz to be more pro-active and customer focused.
United has turned out to be one of Apple’s biggest and most loyal customers.
It has already supplied more than 20,000 iPhone 6 Plus devices to flight attendants and iPads to pilots.
