• American Airlines revealed it was attempting to stop people from boarding early
  • The airline announced that it would be implementing new technology 
  • People on the web have praised the airline for its decision 

Frequent flyers are praising American Airlines after it revealed it would be putting an end to passengers who try to board early with a new technology.

The airline announced it would be testing out the technology in select airports in an attempt to help prevent impatient travelers – also known as ‘gate lice’ – from boarding the plane before their group is called.

According to passengers who have already come across the technology, those who attempt to scan their boarding pass early will receive an error beep that tells them to step aside and wait until their group is called. 

Following the announcement, DailyMail.com readers admitted that it was ‘about time’ the airlines began enforcing the rule. 

Many frequent flyers noted that they had grown tired of people trying to skip ahead for overhead space as others branded it ‘the best news’. 

Frequent flyers are praising American Airlines after it revealed it would be putting an end to passengers who try to board early with a new technology (stock image)

Frequent flyers are praising American Airlines after it revealed it would be putting an end to passengers who try to board early with a new technology (stock image)

The airline announced it would be testing out the technology in select airports in to help prevent impatient travelers  from boarding the plane before their group is called (stock image)

The airline announced it would be testing out the technology in select airports in to help prevent impatient travelers  from boarding the plane before their group is called (stock image)

A spokesperson for American Airlines told Travel + Leisure: ‘We are in the early phase of testing new technology used during the boarding process.

‘The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team.’ 

The announcement prompted people on the web to take to DailyMail.com’s comment section and wax lyrical about the new practice. 

One person said: ‘About time. This should have been done/enforced decades ago, it isn’t that hard.’ 

Someone else added: ‘This is the best news I have heard all month – seriously. Everyone that has to get onto a plane has somewhere important to be. Maybe also – they will put a stop to the people that stow their bags in front when they have a seat at the back of the plane. It obviously causes a chain reaction and it is extremely pompous.’

Another reader commented: ‘I’m all for it. There are too many out there who ignore the rules and it’s part of what make flying these days so aggravating.’

One frequent flyer said: ‘It’s about time.’ 

‘Great move,’ said another person. 

The announcement prompted people on the web to take to DailyMail.com's comment section and wax lyrical about the new practice

The announcement prompted people on the web to take to DailyMail.com’s comment section and wax lyrical about the new practice

‘It would never occur to me to queue before my group is called. So many entitled people who think they’re more important than everyone else,’ wrote one person. 

‘I love this process! Also, I would love strict enforcement of carry on luggage,’ commented someone else.  

Although no other details about the technology were revealed by the airline, a passenger flying from Albuquerque claimed to have seen the process.

The passenger took to Reddit to reveal that they saw other flyers attempting to board in the first boarding group and had an error beep when their boarding pass was scanned, followed by the gate agent telling them to step aside.

A commenter on the post also claimed to have seen the new technology in action and wrote: ‘It was great. I saw about five people get punted out of line for trying to board before their group was called. About time!’

The new technology is being tested at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ) and the Tucson International Airport (TUS), according to Travel + Leisure.

American Airlines isn’t the first to update its boarding policy. United Airlines made a change to its policy last year. 

The change boosted economy passengers with window seats into Group 3, followed by middle seats in Group 4 and aisle seats in Group 5, with hopes to make the process more seamless.

 

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