Do you feel pressured to crowd the gate when it’s time to board so no one cuts in line?
If so, you’ll likely be rooting for a boarding update being tested by American Airlines at its boarding gates. The software update triggers an alarm for the gate agent when a passenger tries to board out of order, letting both the agent and passenger know that they’re out of sequence. TPG’s Zach Griff has all the details, including where it’s currently being tested and when agents might be able to override the alarm.
It may sound trivial, but one reason it matters is that the earliest passengers to board a plane have the easiest time finding overhead bin space for their carry-ons. Once the bins are full, late-boarding passengers have to gate-check their belongings to their final destination.
If American’s test proves successful, it could be rolled out systemwide — and perhaps become something other carriers might emulate.
That’s just one of the stories making waves since our last Aviation newsletter. Just this morning, the Department of Transportation hit American with a $50 million fineover accessibility concerns — a decision that continued the agency’s aggressive new postureunder the Biden administration.
Elsewhere, Alaska Airlines detailed a broad overhaul of its Mileage Plan frequent flyer program. Changes include the introduction of “milestone perks” as well as new status-earning and upgrade options.
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