Easy flight hack can take stress out of travel for iPhone users

Sorry to Android users — this one’s just for the iPhone owners.
Who among us doesn’t find navigating an airport to be a stressful process — from finding gates to wondering if you’re at the correct baggage carousel, or staying updated with flight delays or early arrivals.
Good news, then, from former airline employee Darby Maloney, who goes by @durbinmalonster on TikTok, who has revealed an Apple user-only travel hack that can make any journey a breeze.
Travelers can get flight updates through text messages. Yuliia – stock.adobe.com
“I never have to look at screens in the airport anymore,” Maloney, 28, teased her social media followers. “It’s the greatest hack ever and I think nobody knows about it.”
In the resurfaced clip, with over 25 million views, Maloney explains how she uses the hack when she’s ready to hit the jetway.
@durbinmalonster S/O @Brooke Webster for teaching me this in my bag loading days 7 years ago ♬ original sound – Darby
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.”
Passengers don’t have to rely on travel apps anymore to get updates on their flight status. Rido – stock.adobe.com
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.