American Airlines To Begin Boarding Earlier To Improve Passenger Experience

In an effort to streamline the boarding process and minimize the number of last-minute carry-on bag checks, American Airlines is making more modifications to its boarding process. Starting May 1, the airline will begin boarding flights five minutes earlier than before. 

While five minutes might seem like a small adjustment, the airline believes it will make a significant difference in passenger experience. American Airlines spokesperson Rachel Warner told USA Today, "This extra time will deliver a smoother boarding experience for customers by allowing for pauses between boarding groups, relieving congestion on the jet bridge, and allowing customers to stow their bags and get settled before departure."

"In addition, American’s gate agents and flight attendants will have more time to complete their pre-departure work and deliver personalized service to our customers," she added. "Flight attendants and gate agents will have more time to monitor and confirm when overhead bins are full, helping to reduce the number of involuntary gate-checked bags when bin space is still available." 

The boarding changes will vary slightly depending on the aircraft type. Flights operated by Airbus A319 and A320 models will begin boarding 35 minutes before takeoff, up from the current 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Boeing 737, Airbus A321 and all widebody aircraft in the fleet will start boarding 40 minutes prior to departure. 

Warner pointed out that this latest development is part of American’s broader strategy to refine its boarding protocols. Last fall, the airline introduced new technology to help ensure that travelers board in their designated groups. As of November, over 100 airports in American’s network had implemented a system that alerts gate agents when passengers attempt to board ahead of their assigned group. So far, customer response has been largely positive.

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