American Airlines expanding technology, cracking down on line cutting ahead of holiday travel

American Airlines is bolstering its technology to ensure that passengers board only when their assigned group is called as airports prepare for holiday travel, the airline announced in a release Wednesday.

“We’ve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because it’s a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase,” Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery, said in the release.

“The initial positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations, so we are thrilled to leverage this technology to deliver for them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday,” Rath continued.

According to the release, if passengers try to board ahead of their assigned groups, the software will not accept the ticket and will make a sound. If customers have a companion in an earlier boarding group, there is an override button if needed, the announcement said.

According to the announcement, the airline has already tried the new software at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport within the last month.

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