American Airlines is shaking up its boarding process once again. After introducing new technology aimed at preventing line-jumping during the boarding process, American plans to start its boarding time five minutes earlier for all flights.
The new boarding time will start May 1, 2025. The goal? Smoother boarding, less congestion and fewer last-minute gate-checks for carry-on bags.
The extra time means boarding will now begin 35 minutes before departure for Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, and 40 minutes before departure for Boeing 737, Airbus A321 and all widebody planes. The airline says this tweak will give passengers more time to stow bags and settle in, reducing logjams on the jet bridge.
While five minutes might not seem like much, American believes it will make a noticeable difference. "This extra time will deliver a smoother boarding experience for customers by allowing for pauses between boarding groups, relieving congestion on the jet bridge, and allowing customers to stow their bags and get settled before departure," said American Airlines spokesperson Rachel Warner. "In addition, American’s gate agents and flight attendants will have more time to complete their pre-departure work and deliver personalized service to our customers."
If you're flying American this summer, plan for a slightly earlier boarding call. The airline hopes this simple change will make the process less chaotic and get flights out on time.