American Airlines is testing a new tool to stop passengers from boarding flights ahead of their assigned group.

One of the many small benefits of business class or airline status that ease the travel experience comes down to avoiding the boarding bottleneck. Instead of trying to balance one’s carry-on bag as someone in front of you holds up the line by moving around items in the overhead compartment,

Boarding your next flight with American Airlines might look—and sound—a little different. American has started testing out a new boarding procedure at select airports designed to stop passengers from boarding at the wrong time and keep them in their assigned boarding groups.

American Airlines is cracking down on line-cutting, as new technology prevents passengers from boarding before their zone

Boarding a plane can be a hectic experience. Those in front have a clear path to their seats, while those at the end of the line face wait times and crowded overhead bins. Some might even skip ahead of their assigned boarding zone to get a leg up on the process.

American Airlines is implementing a new system to ensure passengers don’t board early. The airline has been piloting a system that will audibly flag when someone tries to board before their designated boarding group has been called.

On an American Airlines flight to Seattle, a TikToker filmed a fellow passenger opening canned tuna, leading to a smelly ordeal.

Just like seat backs and tray tables, boarding zones are a ubiquitous part of traveling by air in 2024. And if you happen to be traveling with something you’d like to store above your seat, you might be tempted to see about trying to board in an earlier zone than the one you were assigned.