[LAUREN]

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON … AMERICAN AIRLINES IS EXPANDING ITS TECHNOLOGY THAT CALLS OUT THOSE WHO CUT IN LINE DURING THE BOARDING PROCESS.

PASSENGERS WHO TRY TO BOARD BEFORE THEIR ASSIGNED GROUP WILL SET-OFF AN ERROR BEEP … ALERTING THE GATE AGENT WHOM WILL INSTRUCT THEM TO REJOIN THE LINE WHEN THEIR BOARDING GROUP IS CALLED.

CREW MEMBERS TESTED THE PROCESS OVER THE LAST MONTH IN THREE AIRPORTS WITH AIRLINE OFFICIALS SAYING THEY RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM BOTH PASSENGERS AND WORKERS. 

AMERICAN IS NOW ROLLING-OUT THE TECHNOLOGY TO OVER 100 AIRPORTS – INCLUDING THE WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORT IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC — ATLANTA’S HARTSFIELD-JACKSON INTERNATIONAL.

THE COMPANY PLANS TO EXPAND IT TO ADDITIONAL HUBS LATER, BUT IT’S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHEN. 

AIRLINES INCLUDING AMERICAN REWARD FREQUENT FLYERS WITH PERKS LIKE EARLY BOARDING AND ARE TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON SO-CALLED “GATE LICE” – WHICH HAS BECOME A TERM USED TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE WHO CROWD THE GATE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BOARD EARLY. 

AMERICAN CURRENTLY ALLOWS FAMILIES TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN UNDER 2 YEARS OLD TO REQUEST AN EARLIER BOARDING GROUP AT THE GATE.

FOR SAN – I’M LAUREN TAYLOR. 

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