Air travel comes with plenty of guesswork, especially before you even reach the gate. Starting Wednesday, United Airlines is rolling out several new features in its mobile app that could help. 

The new additions are designed to help travelers gain insights into flight details, notably how long security check-ins are taking at their departure airport. That's a particularly important addition amid the ongoing partial government shutdown, which left TSA employees unpaid and prompted some agents to quit. Some agents have begun to receive back pay.

But security check-in predictions are only the start of the high-tech options in United's app. If you haven't flown with the airline for a while, you should also know a 2024 update addresses another frequent headache for flyers -- lost luggage. United's latest platform supports Apple's AirTag tracker so that flyers can share item locations directly with United customer service staff.

CNET has been recommending using AirTags in checked luggage for years, so if you're already placing AirTags in your baggage, this is a useful feature for you. It's a technology that's also showing up at other airlines. Just don't try the same trick with your pets. 

"We appreciate the work and professionalism of our TSA agents, and while most began receiving back pay earlier this week, the US Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues, and people want to stay informed about expected security wait times at our airports," Jason Birnbaum, United's chief information officer, said in a statement.

How far is my gate?

The app also adds turn-by-turn directions to your gate, including estimated walking times and automatic in-app flight status updates. 

Travelers will also have access to more self-service tools, including the option to rebook directly in the app and to receive digital vouchers received when a flight is delayed. 

You'll also find an option to receive radar-map text to see how the weather will impact your layover or destination.