Hopefully you don’t have to fly anytime soon, but if you do, you should know that American Airlines has just updated its boarding procedures. AA is now requiring passengers be at the gate an extra 15 minutes before departure time. That means you now need to be at the gate 30 minutes before an AA domestic flight and 45 minutes before an AA international flight.
If this were the old days when my dad was traveling, when he liked to show up to the gate a few minutes before departure time, he would miss a lot of flights. These days that won’t fly, so if you have to travel, be early. Personally, I’m always early to the gate because I usually don’t check bags, even though I get free checked bags when I fly airlines that I have elite status with. I don’t like having to show up earlier to the airport (so that I’m at the gate in time) and then having to wait around for them to come out (if they even do come out). Whether you’re checking bags or not, the new AA boarding procedures apply to you. See below for more.
The new American Airlines boarding procedures
Here’s the updated American Airlines boarding procedures as listed on the AA website (under “Check-in and arrival”):
“Be at the gate and ready to board the plane at least:
- 30 minutes before departure on domestic flights
- 45 minutes before departure for international flights
“You must have a boarding pass with a valid seat assignment to board the plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you’re not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.”
More American Airlines news
Booked on a canceled flight?
- Use This Trick If You Want to Get a Refund for a Flight That Hasn’t Been Canceled
- Can You Get Refunded for a Canceled European Flight?
- My Experience Calling 5 Different Airlines for Refunds
Have your own tip? Email it to whitney@johnnyjet.com!
Want to see more tips? Click here for all 1,696!
Want even more travel tips? Sign up here for the Daily Travel Tip newsletter! Enter your email address and check “Daily Travel Tip” to receive Johnny’s best tips in your inbox each day!
If you already subscribe to our weekly newsletter, you can sign up on the same page. Just fill in your email and check “Daily Travel Tip” on the same page. You’ll receive an email with a link to update your JohnnyJet.com preferences. On that page, just click the Daily Travel Tip box and Update Profile.
