Following the opening of sales of the new ‘basic economy fare,’ American Airlines has announced a new boarding policy.
It is ditching its usual four step boarding procedure and will now have nine boarding categories, with basic economy fare passengers boarded last.
Under the company’s ‘simplified’ boarding process, the first four groups board via the ‘priority’ boarding lane, which includes first or business class, US military personnel and frequent flier members.
The remaining five groups are given ‘non-priority’ boarding and include regular economy and new basic economy ticket holders bringing up the rear.
Basic economy tickets do not have access to the overhead bins.
The new procedure rolls out officially on March 1 and rather than simplifying the boarding process, has been dubbed as the most complicated ever.
The airline disagrees.
"The boarding order will be the same, with only minor exceptions. The change is in how we refer to each group on boarding passes and announcements," an AA spokesman said.
