New "EasyUpdate" screens appear to be spreading across the United system and are very welcome. I noticed them the other day transiting through Washington Dulles. They rotate through several "information-rich" slides, including the Standby List, the Upgrade List (along with number of upgrade seats available), the Cleared List/Awaiting Seat Assignments, and other useful information including the weather and onboard meal service. My Thursday evening flight was bordering on hilarity: 38 people on the upgrade waiting list for only two seats. Luckily, I was one of the winners!

Another helpful feature displays the plane's capacity and the number of passengers checked in to the flight. I'm glad to see United taking steps like this to improve the customer experience, even though they are now charging budget travelers for checked luggage. Take from one mouth to feed another, I guess.