Originally Posted by
jsloan
This. I've never figured out what problem, exactly, mobile boarding passes are supposed to be solving. The only time I use them is if I've been upgraded since I arrived at the airport and I can't find a kiosk to reprint my boarding pass.
Now, if the scanners were NFC-enabled and you could board based upon your stored MileagePlus card (think Apple Pay), then, maybe. As it stands, it's just not that big of a deal to board using a piece of paper.
Convenience? No need to find a printer or stop by the kiosk/counter. Regardless of how quickly you can fly through the screens, walking directly to security is faster 100% of the time.
I always add my BP to my Apple Wallet so that it's easy to bring up (double tap the home button), and persists even if the UA app decides to take an early/extended lunch break. No downside - for domestic flights. Still get paper BPs for intl flights.