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Remember when you got to board an airplane before other economy class passengers because your seat was in the back row?
As of May, that is no longer the case on American Airlines' domestic flights.
The Fort Worth-based carrier now boards economy class passengers in a randomized order based on how they check in for the flight. First-class, AAdvantage premium frequent fliers and uniformed members of the military still board first.
David Vance, American's managing director of airport operations, said the change was made "to enhance the travel experience for our customers and to make the boarding process more welcoming and more personal."
American boarded passengers from the rear of the plane forward, Vance said. The new process cuts boarding time by 5 to 10 percent, allowing passengers more time to stow their carry-on items, he said.
But the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents American's flight attendants, describes the new process as "complete chaos in the cabin." The union says it has received reports from members that passenger requests to board early are on the rise because of the new policy.
"We do the best we can with what [little] we have to work with and our agent colleagues to get the plane out on time," the APFA says on its website.
The new policy is similar to the one that Southwest Airlines has employed for years. The Dallas-based carrier traditionally grouped its boarding passes based on when passengers checked in.
In recent years, Southwest has introduced a more expensive fare, Business Select, which automatically places passengers in the first boarding group. In 2009, Southwest began offering an early bird fee, $10 each way, which also placed passengers in the first boarding group.
American's new process is not solely based on when passengers check in. Vance said passengers are also grouped together if they check in on AA.com, at a self-check-in kiosk or with a gate agent.
American also started offering "priority boarding" last year, guaranteeing Group 1 boarding. That costs $9 per flight segment. For example, priority boarding on a flight from Austin to Atlanta with a stop in Dallas/Fort Worth Airport would cost $18 one way.
Read more: American Airlines changes policy for economy class boarding | Airlines and Aviation | Da...
As of May, that is no longer the case on American Airlines' domestic flights.
The Fort Worth-based carrier now boards economy class passengers in a randomized order based on how they check in for the flight. First-class, AAdvantage premium frequent fliers and uniformed members of the military still board first.
David Vance, American's managing director of airport operations, said the change was made "to enhance the travel experience for our customers and to make the boarding process more welcoming and more personal."
American boarded passengers from the rear of the plane forward, Vance said. The new process cuts boarding time by 5 to 10 percent, allowing passengers more time to stow their carry-on items, he said.
But the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents American's flight attendants, describes the new process as "complete chaos in the cabin." The union says it has received reports from members that passenger requests to board early are on the rise because of the new policy.
"We do the best we can with what [little] we have to work with and our agent colleagues to get the plane out on time," the APFA says on its website.
The new policy is similar to the one that Southwest Airlines has employed for years. The Dallas-based carrier traditionally grouped its boarding passes based on when passengers checked in.
In recent years, Southwest has introduced a more expensive fare, Business Select, which automatically places passengers in the first boarding group. In 2009, Southwest began offering an early bird fee, $10 each way, which also placed passengers in the first boarding group.
American's new process is not solely based on when passengers check in. Vance said passengers are also grouped together if they check in on AA.com, at a self-check-in kiosk or with a gate agent.
American also started offering "priority boarding" last year, guaranteeing Group 1 boarding. That costs $9 per flight segment. For example, priority boarding on a flight from Austin to Atlanta with a stop in Dallas/Fort Worth Airport would cost $18 one way.
Read more: American Airlines changes policy for economy class boarding | Airlines and Aviation | Da...
