United to Restrict Unauthorized AI Agents From Booking Flights

United Airlines will restrict unauthorized third-party artificial intelligence agents from booking flights or managing reservations through its digital platforms and travel intermediaries, citing customer-account risks and federal requirements involving passenger check-in.

The airline said it is updating its booking, ticketing and distribution policies. The restrictions are intended to cover agents accessing United systems directly as well as through travel agencies and aggregators. United has not announced when the changes will take effect.

United said sharing account credentials with personal AI assistants can expose sensitive information and lead to unintended purchases, account changes or use of MileagePlus miles. The airline described those outcomes as potential risks; the reports do not establish that such incidents have occurred through the booking agents covered by the policy.

The company also cited rules concerning check-in. It said some federal requirements call for passengers personally to acknowledge that checked baggage contains no prohibited substances, including explosives. United warned that an automated assistant completing that step on a passenger’s behalf could...