GateAi is a realtime operational system that helps airlines manage assignment of airplanes to gates at an airport.

This tool enables future planning, brings realtime visibility into ground operations and provides quick decision support to reduce flight delays

My Role

I led end-to-end research and design delivery for GateAI, working directly with business stakeholders at Southwest Airlines.

Conducted user interviews, focus groups, and shadowing sessions to define product requirements and inform design strategy.
Delivered end-to-end design from wire framing, low/mid fidelity prototypes to detailed production workflows for developer handoff.
Conducted A/B tests, card sorting exercises, and co-creation workshops with end users at Southwest to improvise.
Managed 1 UI Designer.
Developed and facilitated product pitches and design presentations.

Team

Pallav Parijat- Product Manager

Soumil Panwar- Product Designer

Avnis Das- UI Designer

Duration

8 Months

+

GateAi is a product built by Optym in partnership with Southwest Airlines as a shared IP. Based on contextual business understandings from Southwest, GateAi is in the process of development and would be commercialized with other global airlines soon.

Solution

To understand the complex, high-pressure nature of gate planning, we worked closely with gate planners to co-create GateAI, a system that blends their current workflows with the power of AI-driven decision support. The goal was to enhance, not replace, their existing capabilities.

Product Principles

To understand the complex, high-pressure nature of gate planning, we worked closely with gate planners to co-create GateAI, a system that blends their current workflows with the power of AI-driven decision support. The goal was to enhance, not replace, their existing capabilities.

Preplanning & Replanning Made Simple

All Data in One Place

Users can plan gate assignments up to 7 days in advance using a clear, Gantt-style timeline
This helps translate the flight schedule into a visual, easy-to-navigate format based on time and space
Supports quick replanning when things change, without losing context

Previously, planners relied on multiple disconnected systems.
• GateAI acts as the single source of truth, pulling in all relevant operational data.
• Information is shown in a relatable and actionable format to support confident decision-making.

Real-Time Visibility into Operations

Full Control Over AI Decisions

On the day of operations, users face hundreds of fast-paced decisions.
• GateAI gives a clear view of the current gate network, flagging delays, system issues, and broken connections in real time.
• Helps users prioritize and respond quickly to emerging issues.
Supports quick replanning when things change, without losing context

GateAI supports users with intelligent suggestions, but never replaces their judgment.
• Every AI-driven action is transparent, explainable, and reversible.
• Users can intervene and adjust manually using simple, intuitive tools — keeping them fully in control.

Feature Name

To understand the complex, high-pressure nature of gate planning, we worked closely with gate planners to co-create GateAI, a system that blends their current workflows with the power of AI-driven decision support. The goal was to enhance, not replace, their existing capabilities.

Feature Name

To understand the complex, high-pressure nature of gate planning, we worked closely with gate planners to co-create GateAI, a system that blends their current workflows with the power of AI-driven decision support. The goal was to enhance, not replace, their existing capabilities.

Explore the Detailed Case Study

To understand the complex, high-pressure nature of gate planning, we worked closely with gate planners to co-create GateAI, a system that blends their current workflows with the power of AI-driven decision support. The goal was to enhance, not replace, their existing capabilities.

Explore Case Study