American Airlines has launched a new system aimed at increasing the speed and ease of the passenger boarding process.
The new boarding system will offer early boarding to passengers travelling with just one personal carry-on item, small enough to fit under the seat in front of them. The scheme is intended to allow more passengers to board more smoothly, without clogging up the aisles putting luggage in overhead storage bins.
“Every minute saved during boarding allows American to push back from the gate earlier, resulting in a more timely departure and arrival,” said the airline’s vice president of customer planning, Carol Wright.
The new boarding process follows successful testing at several US airports, including Denver and Washington Dulles. American said the tests received “overwhelmingly positive feedback”, and that following the roll-out it expects to see a “notable reduction in average boarding time per flight”.
American’s baggage policy allows each customer to take onboard, at no charge, one personal item that will fit under the seat in front of them and one bag that can fit into the overhead storage compartment.
“The new boarding process is another example of how American is reinventing itself by continuously seeking out ways to streamline processes, creating a more efficient and enjoyable customer journey,” the airline said in a statement.
