United Airlines blocks AI agents from booking flights, citing cybersecurity risks

United Airlines announced it will restrict access to AI agents that attempt to book flights and manage reservations on behalf of users, citing cybersecurity risks and potential violations of federal regulations. The airline warns that sharing account credentials with third-party AI assistants can expose sensitive information and lead to unintended purchases or account changes. Additionally, United notes that federal aviation rules require a human to complete flight check-ins to acknowledge that bags do not contain banned substances. The airline is implementing these restrictions within its digital platforms and through travel agencies and aggregators, including updates to booking, ticketing, and distribution policies. This move follows similar warnings from banks like Bank of America, as companies struggle to distinguish between real customers and AI systems operating on their behalf.

(Source：TechCrunch)