United launches Control Tower view in FlightPath3D map

United Airlines has long taken a transparent approach to customer service, whether that means providing super detailed information about flight delays and cancellations or enabling Apple’s AirTag share location feature to be integrated into its mobile app. Now the US major is taking traveler awareness to a whole new level, becoming the first carrier to add Control Tower mode to its onboard FlightPath3D moving map, initially aboard select aircraft with seatback IFE screens.

Representing a collaboration between flight tracking platform FlightAware and FlightPath3D, Control Tower mode gives passengers a detailed view of their aircraft positioning while the plane is on the ground — on top of the flight path view they’re already accustomed to watching on the moving map whilst in-flight.

The new feature updates dynamically to provide passengers with a clear visualization of their aircraft’s status relative to other aircraft, runways, terminal buildings and other airport features.

By showing aircraft location on the tarmac both pre-flight and after landing, Control Tower mode boosts traveler awareness of flight status and increases IFE engagement. Image: FlightPath3D

“We know passengers enjoy watching the flight map inflight. In fact, in 2024, on average, travelers spent 60 minutes watching the flight map. Providing even more offerings within the map helps us keep passengers informed and entertained during their flight,” says United director of inflight entertainment Dominic Green.

For FlightPath3D president Duncan Jackson, the launch of Control Tower is another step in delivering on its mission to guide every passenger through a “seamless, transparent” travel experience from start to finish.

“The moving map is one of the most popular elements of the IFE experience,” notes Jackson. “Now passengers can tap into this dynamic entertainment application from the moment they take their seats. FlightPath3D’s end-to-end journey management and commitment to data-driven solutions are reshaping the future of air travel, and we are delighted to kick it all off with the rollout of the new product on select United Airlines flights.”

When Collins Aerospace acquired FlightAware in 2021, it vowed to launch a new generation of smart digital solutions aimed at reducing unplanned aircraft maintenance, improving dispatch reliability, and ensuring aviation stakeholders know when aircraft are on the runway or at the terminal to keep flight schedules on time.

By partnering with FlightPath3D, FlightAware is now able to “integrate our real-time data in ways that fundamentally enhance the inflight experience” for passengers, says FlightAware president Matt Davis.

“This is just the beginning of unlocking exciting new possibilities for both our companies.”

United expects to fully roll-out Control Tower to select embedded IFE-fitted aircraft by the end of the year. Aviation enthusiasts will no doubt be clamoring for more aircraft to be equiped in time. But Control Tower mode is also expected to help nervous flyers, with FlightPath3D noting that the information can greatly reduce anxiety around what’s happening on the ground during taxi.

This passenger-pleasing addition to seatback IFE comes as United is ramping up its retrofit of existing narrowbodies with new Signature interiors, including nose-to-tail screens.

“By the end of 2025, more than 75% of our planes should have completely new interiors with bigger bins, seatback screens and Bluetooth connectivity in every seat,” United CEO Scott Kirby recently revealed in a message to United’s MileagePlus loyalty members.

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• Premium domestic travel arms race intensifies with United Next rollout
• United accelerates Starlink equipage with E175 first in line
• Airlines get onboard with Apple share location feature for AirTag
• United CIO explains ‘every flight has a story’ initiative 

Featured image credited to FlightPath3D

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