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American Airlines tests new tech for enforcing passenger boarding order

American Airlines tests new tech for enforcing passenger boarding order
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Summer Hull Director of content | The Points Guy

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).

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A spokesperson for American Airlines stated: "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."

The airline's nine-group boarding process includes various categories ranging from ConciergeKey members in Group 1 to basic economy travelers in Group 9. Priority boarding benefits are part of elite status perks and certain AAdvantage cobranded credit cards.

This test could influence future implementations across more airports and possibly other airlines as well.

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