American Airlines to shame boarding line cutters with new technology

Watch out, line cutters. American Airlines is rolling out new technology across the country to crack down on travelers trying to get on the plane before their boarding party is called.

Customers who try to scan a boarding pass before their group is called will hear a two-tone sound and be turned away, the airline says.

American Airlines has nine boarding groups, ranging from first class customers and frequent flyers to travelers who have purchased basic economy fares or the cheapest tickets. Airlines reward their high-paying elite frequent flyers with perks such as earlier boarding and have tried to keep it exclusive.

The new technology as of Wednesday is in more than 100 nonhub airports around the United States after testing over the past month at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport, American Airlines said.

The airline plans to roll it out to hubs later.

The technology will roll out just as American expects 8.3 million people to board its flights between Nov. 21 and Dec. 3, which it considers the Thanksgiving travel period, an increase of 500,000 customers over last year.

Other airlines have experimented with new ways to prevent gate crowding, helping to board flights faster, while trying to protect early boarding for the growing ranks of elite frequent flyer loyalty program members.

United Airlines texts customers when it’s time to board and delivers live updates to customer iPhones and Apple Watches with a boarding countdown timer. It also has digital signs that show which boarding group has been called.