American Airlines Tests New Tech to Stop Travelers From Boarding Early

Image: American Airlines airplane at the gate of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. (Photo Credit: Red Lemon / Adobe Stock)

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:40 AM ET, Thu October 24, 2024

American Airlines is in the early phase of testing out a new technology that should crack down on passengers trying to board before their zone is called.

According to the airline, which has been happy with the testing so far, “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.”

It’s currently being tested in Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ), Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

ABC News reported that the new technology makes a noise that alerts a gate agent to a passenger trying to board early, allowing them to ask the person to step aside to allow for travelers in the correct boarding zone to enter the plane.

American is considered the first airline to begin testing a technology of this kind. It’s unclear what sort of technology is involved.