AeroXplorer is currently experiencing a content freeze due to server limitations. Normal website operation will resume on December 23. We appreciate your patience.
MONDAY DEC 23, 2024
×
Search AeroXplorer
American Airlines Starts Enforcing Boarding Groups

American Airlines Starts Enforcing Boarding Groups

BY JOE GVORA Published on October 17, 2024 0 COMMENTS
Photo: AeroXplorer | Kaden S.


American Airlines is taking its boarding policies seriously by introducing new measures that will prevent "cheating" and "line jumping". The airline has experimented with a new procedure at two airports and was given the green light to introduce them at more in the future.
 

The American Way

 

American Airlines will be enforcing boarding priorities in the future with technology that's meant to simplify the process in which travelers enter the aircraft. This new technology encourages a "less chaotic" boarding environment that doesn't slow down the pre-flight process.

 

With major airlines, it's often a problem when travelers crowd boarding lines and gates before it's their turn to be called to enter the aircraft. With these crowds, it takes longer for travelers who are called upon to make their way to the front to get admitted. 

Some travelers also get away with boarding before it's their turn to, as gate agents often have their hands full and don't want to take the time to keep boarding groups organized. Many in the industry consider this "stealing" and "line jumping", as the customers that board earlier than they're supposed to are doing so at a time when they're not entitled to.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

For the past two weeks, American Airlines has tested new boarding technology at Albuquerque and Tucson airports. Travelers are required to scan their boarding pass at the gate scanner. If the scanner beeps when a traveler tries to scan his or her pass, that means it's not their turn to board, and the agent asks the traveler to step aside until it's their turn.

 

As of now, this new approach doesn't seem to cause any problems for customers. Feedback is said to be very positive from American personnel with these new measures in place. In the next couple of weeks, Washington Reagan will be the next airport the airline will test this new procedure on.

 

Photo: AeroXplorer | Mitchell Roetting

 

An American Airlines spokesperson also had this statement on Wednesday:

 

"We are in the early phase of testing new technology used during the boarding process. The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team."

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS


 

About American Airlines Boarding

 

Boarding typically begins a half an hour to an hour before the scheduled departure, though the precise time varies on a flight-by-flight basis. Boarding concludes 15 minutes before departure.

 

American Airlines has nine boarding groups in total. These nine groups rank from first-to-board to last-to-board.

 

Boarding GroupBoarding Pass Type
ConciergeKey membersConciergeKey Members
Group 1First Class
U.S. Military
AAdvantage Executive Platinum Members
Group 2AAdvantage Platinum Pro Members
Oneworld Emerald Members
Group 3AAdvantage Platinum Members
Oneworld Sapphire Members
Group 4AAdvantage Gold Members
Oneworld Ruby Members
Airpass Holders
Premium Economy
Citi / AAdvantage Executive credit card holders
Travelers who bought Priority boarding
Group 5Main Cabin Extra
AAdvantage members who have more than 15,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage credit card holders
Group 6AAdvantage members
 
Groups 7 & 8Main Cabin
Group 9Basic Economy

 

For more information on American's boarding process, you can view this page.

 AeroXplorer is on Telegram! Subscribe to the AeroXplorer Telegram Channel to receive aviation news updates as soon as they are released. View Channel 
Joe Gvora
I'm a content specialist that has written content for multiple Fortune 500 companies. I have written travel blogs and news for many businesses spanning from local businesses overseas to big tech corporations. Learning new things is my favorite part of writing.

Comments (0)

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

NEWS american airlinesnews boarding boarding groups economy first class airport

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Porter Airlines Launches Seasonal Montréal-Fort Myers Route In addition to the Montréal-Fort Myers route, Porter offers non-stop flights to Fort Myers from Toronto Pearson and Ottawa, expanding its network to meet the growing demand for convenient travel options. NEWS READ MORE »
Kenya Airways Renews Codeshare Agreement with China Eastern Airlines Kenya Airways has renewed its codeshare agreement with China Eastern Airlines, reaffirming its commitment to providing seamless connectivity between Africa and China. NEWS READ MORE »
T'Way Air Flight Nearly Causes Runway Incursion at Osaka A T'way Air flight passed the holding point and intercepted an active runway at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE