American Airlines is experimenting with a new technology aimed at enforcing boarding order among passengers. The Fort Worth-based airline is testing software that alerts gate agents when someone attempts to board before their group is called. This initiative was first reported by View from the Wing and confirmed by The Points Guy (TPG) through an American Airlines spokesperson.
The system involves a computer connected to the boarding pass scanner, which displays an alert and sounds an alarm if a passenger tries to board out of turn. Although gate agents can override this alert in specific situations, such as when traveling with someone in a higher boarding group, the general aim is to prevent early boarding.
Currently, this technology is being tested at select locations including Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona. Plans are underway to extend the trial to other airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).