Easy flight hack can take the stress out of travel — but it’s not for everyone

Whenever the content creator travels, she texts the flight number to herself and her family on the morning of her departure.

Once the message appears on any iPhone, you can click the hyperlinked number and select “Preview Flight.” It will then display real-time updates of your flight along with details on your baggage claim carousel. And that’s it.

“You can just click your link and know exactly what your gate is so when you get off of the plane ― boom, you’re off to your connection,” Maloney added.

You can also view updates on gate changes and departure or arrival times. Although you can get this same information from the airline’s mobile app, some users prefer the text method because it’s easy to access.

“I use this the most when somebody’s picking me up,” Maloney said in a follow-up TikTok video. “I’m not going to ask them to download the app … I’m just going to send them the link.”

Unfortunately, this hack can only be used by iPhone users. If you’re an Android user, however, you can still type your flight number into the Google search bar to get real-time updates.

Many TikTokers were stunned by this hidden hack that could have saved them a lot of stress and headaches.

“I have never known this! This makes my type-A airport self so happy,” commented one person.

“I was told by airport employees that the link is updated before the screens,” confessed another.

“United does this automatically for you. It stays on your phone at the top of screen (even when in other apps). Makes we want to fly United all the time,” added a frequent flier.

“Thank you for this tip! I fly quite a bit and this will be so helpful!” gushed a traveler.