The airline announced a set of technology-based improvements deploying to over 100 airports ahead of the travel season starting Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

 

“Alarm of Shame” Part of Larger Software Upgrade Program

The customer boarding alarm is part of a larger update allowing gate agents to board flights more efficiently, helping aircraft get off the ground on time and passengers to their destinations faster. The new platform will allow ground crews to see how many flyers are in each group, along with anticipated arrival times for inbound connections to potentially anticipate misconnections. The entire view will be put together in one application, allowing agents to work more efficiently.

 

If a passenger tries to board ahead of their assigned group, the new software will reject the boarding pass with an “audible sound” alerting the gate agent and those around them of the error. The crews will then politely instruct the passenger to please board with their assigned group.

 

The good news is that more flyers will have the opportunity to advance their boarding status. The airline notes that boarding order is now based on several factors, including AAdvantage status, fare class, which AAdvantage credit card they have, and U.S. military service. At a base level, all AAdvantage members will board with Group 6 if their AAdvantage number is attached to their trip. AAdvantage flyers on a basic economy fare can board in their assigned group if they have elite status, have earned 15,000 loyalty points during the qualification year, or hold an eligible AAdvantage credit card.

 

While the technology will start rolling out at 100 select airports from Austin to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), American anticipates it will be rolled out at all other airports in the first months of 2025.

 

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Source: frugal travel guy