Jiang Haiyun | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Be careful, queue jumpers. American Airlines New technology is being rolled out across the country to crack down on travelers trying to board flights at short notice.
The airline said passengers who try to scan their boarding pass before calling its team will hear two tones and be denied.
American Airlines has nine boarding groups, ranging from first-class customers and top-tier frequent flyers to those buying the cheapest basic economy fares. Airlines offer perks such as early boarding to high-paid elite frequent flyers and have worked hard to maintain their exclusivity.
American Airlines said it had adopted the new technology at more than 100 non-hub airports across the U.S. as of Wednesday, following tests over the past month at Albuquerque International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. .
American plans to roll it out to hubs later.
The technology will be rolled out at a time when American Airlines expects 8.3 million people to board its flights between November 21 and December 3, the Thanksgiving travel period, an increase of 500,000 from last year.
Other airlines have tried new ways to prevent crowding at gates, which would allow for faster boarding while also trying to protect travelers from boarding early. The team swells Elite frequent flyer loyalty program member.
United Airlines Send text messages to passengers when it’s time to board, and provide real-time updates to passengers’ iPhones and Apple Watches with a countdown clock to boarding. It also has digital signage showing which boarding group has been called.
