United Airlines just made a big change to flight bookings. Here’s why Delta and American aren’t following

United Airlines has recently imposed a ban on personal AI assistants from booking and altering flight tickets on its platform. This move might prompt other airlines to follow suit, but as of now, no major U.S. carriers have taken similar action. United Airlines updated its contract of carriage on Wednesday, stating that third-party AI agents can expose passengers' sensitive information and could lead to unintended purchases or account changes.

They also mentioned that automated AI actions could potentially violate FAA or DOT regulations, citing examples such as flight check-in requiring passengers to confirm their bags contain no prohibited items.

United Airlines emphasized that it encourages other companies to adopt measures to protect customer data and enhance safety. Some airlines, including Delta and American Airlines, are currently evaluating AI tools for booking purposes. American Airlines stated that while certain AI tools can facilitate ticket purchases, customer protection remains their priority.

Delta Airlines noted that AI tools can complete bookings if passengers authenticate their credentials, but users are ultimately responsible for overseeing and authorizing any actions taken by these assistants. Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, and Frontier Airlines have not yet responded to requests for comment.