United Airlines Blocks Third-Party AI Agents From Booking Flights

United Airlines announced Wednesday that it will block unauthorized third-party personal AI assistants from accessing its systems to finalize flight bookings. The restriction applies to the airline's digital platforms, travel agencies, and aggregators. While AI agents can still display available flights and fares, they are prohibited from completing purchases.

The airline cited security risks, stating that sharing account credentials with AI assistants can expose sensitive information and lead to unintended purchases or the unauthorized use of MileagePlus miles. United also noted that AI-driven check-ins could violate Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation regulations, specifically the requirement for human acknowledgment regarding banned substances in luggage.

CEO Scott Kirby stated he does not want to create another middleman in the customer relationship. Following the announcement, shares of Expedia Group Inc and Booking Holdings Inc rose. The move contrasts with other carriers, such as Southwest Airlines, which has integrated its inventory with AI platforms like ChatGPT to allow customers to browse seats and trips.