A picture-perfect vacation is now easier than ever. Thanks to tech and an app update by United Airlines.
"A Search By Image" function in United's app allows travelers to upload photos of a desirable destination, whether they know where the picture was taken or not. Then, the app will find the destination and offer flights to the pictured vacation spot.
For those of us who watch movies and shows and TikToks with unidentifiable desirable locations, this feature could be a game changer. The app also doesn't require users to actually book the flights to the identified picture, you use that information as you will, for wanderlust or points hacking elsewhere.
Here's the catch: The app isn't perfect and you can certainly use Google's reverse image search to find that blue ocean screensaver on your smart TV that you very much want to go to.
A writer for Travel & Leisure struggled to use the app to identify blurry photos of landmarks and hyper-specific destinations, such as Gillian Anderson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bora Bora's hyper-identifiable landscape was an easy find, but if you want to taste a plate of noodles you can't quite nail down the source of, this airline's app isn't quite ready to send you around the world to slurp up the meal of your dreams.
Still unsure where to go? United's Trip Planner option, also in the app, offers groups a more democratic way to pick their next meet-up destination. Start by selecting three roundtrip flight options, share them with friends and family and allow everyone to vote on the best trip and book it together.
And while you're waiting for your group to decide, you can play United's in-app flight simulator game and learn to fly an aircraft...