American Airlines is trialing some new technology, and I think this is something that many passengers will appreciate…
In this post:
American trials customer friendly technology at hubs
American has announced that it has started testing new technology at its Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) hub, which identifies departing flights with connecting customers who might miss their flight. If the airline determines it can delay the flight without any impact to the airline’s schedule, the airline will propose a short hold to get those connecting customers onboard.
American claims that the concept of holding flights for late arriving customers isn’t new for the airline, but rather, it’s the technology that’s the new development here. This new system was developed in-house by American, and it helps automate and improve existing processes.
American plans to expand the test to its Charlotte (CLT) hub next, and trial this at other hubs over the summer.
This is an overdue, customer friendly change
While American claims that it has sometimes held connections for passengers who may otherwise misconnect, that was the exception rather than the norm, in my experience, even when there were no operational impacts.
That’s because American’s focus for so long has been on getting flights out exactly on-time, regardless of the cost of doing so. Furthermore, there’s simply no arguing that automation can do this more efficiently than a human can, especially since frontline employees weren’t empowered to make those decisions.
So it’s nice to see that American is making a genuinely customer friendly change, and also that it’s investing in technology. We know that American is working on becoming more premium and customer friendly (on a budget). That doesn’t involve installing seat back TVs on domestic aircraft, but it involves making it a bit easier to fly with the airline.
Of course as you’d expect, American is following rather than leading here. Many years back, United introduced the Connection Saver program, which does exactly this. United claims that this saves hundreds of thousands of connections per year, and I’m sure that’s something that many passengers appreciate.
Bottom line
American has developed new technology to hold flights when passengers would misconnect, and there would be no operational impact to waiting several minutes. This should have positive implications for passengers. After all, a computer can make these decisions better than a human can, so I expect this will save a lot of connections. Here’s to hoping it’s rolled out on a widespread basis.
What do you make of American’s new technology to preserve connections?
Yeah this would be much appreciated as an improvement to American's policies.
I missed a flight just yesterday because of a delayed incoming flight. If they could have held it at MIA for 5-10 mins, I would have made it. The next flight wasn't until the next morning, so that cost American a hotel night + two meal vouchers. and me a whole day.
Maybe I was the only one and the math didn't...
Yeah this would be much appreciated as an improvement to American's policies.
I missed a flight just yesterday because of a delayed incoming flight. If they could have held it at MIA for 5-10 mins, I would have made it. The next flight wasn't until the next morning, so that cost American a hotel night + two meal vouchers. and me a whole day.
Maybe I was the only one and the math didn't add up, but there were a few others who had not boarded because of separate mix-up in announcing a flight delay and then reverting it.
Ironically enough, that was my only flight out of three in 24 hours that was on time pushing back... Sigh
Tonight the gross ignorance of the troll Plain Jane has exceeded all expectations. It’s obsession with only responding to selected people who post herein, is clearly visible for all to see.
One is compelled to ensure that others note this abominable behaviour in the hope that they are able to avoid the attention of the website bullies.
Or actually be British instead of posting about delta and only on US time zones that cover Atlanta, like another well known delta fan. Many noted how much your posting picked up in his banned absence
the poster with an accent that comes and goes. Sometimes cockney. Sometimes something picked off a Netflix show that isnt common with any modern english speaker that flies delta.
Sometimes pure American verbiage and syntax.
Sometimes a...
Or actually be British instead of posting about delta and only on US time zones that cover Atlanta, like another well known delta fan. Many noted how much your posting picked up in his banned absence
the poster with an accent that comes and goes. Sometimes cockney. Sometimes something picked off a Netflix show that isnt common with any modern english speaker that flies delta.
Sometimes pure American verbiage and syntax.
Sometimes a guest user. Four minutes later logged in…
Dim Tunn and Plain Jane, these are two website trolls who constantly attempt to bully Tim Dunn and me into silence.
Well trolls, I will not be bullied by you or anyone else on this site.
Bring on your worst so that I can show up to be the lowlife of this site.
A “brit” obsessed with US airlines with an “accent” that goes between pompous cliche English period 18th century tv show and cockney to pure American accent and terms?
And never seems to post on UK time?
Also sometimes logged in. Sometimes not
But also reacts in the exact same way tim does to being called out
Isn’t it your bedtime?
My “ worst “ is simply noting how much you seemed to fill in...
A “brit” obsessed with US airlines with an “accent” that goes between pompous cliche English period 18th century tv show and cockney to pure American accent and terms?
And never seems to post on UK time?
Also sometimes logged in. Sometimes not
But also reacts in the exact same way tim does to being called out
Isn’t it your bedtime?
My “ worst “ is simply noting how much you seemed to fill in Tim’s void the last month, QUICKLY made sure Ben knew to check your “vpn” location vs just your location, and never seem to care about UK airlines or your own time zone
You’re an unusual “brit” who cares this much about delta.
It does not require the brains of an Oxford University Don, to plan a journey to ensure that one has sufficient time to make it to a connecting flight.
Only those who fail to plan miss connecting flights.
The exception might well be when an aircraft suffers a mechanical or technical failure.
When poor weather conditions might affect a journey which requires an aircraft change, however, those with more than one brain...
It does not require the brains of an Oxford University Don, to plan a journey to ensure that one has sufficient time to make it to a connecting flight.
Only those who fail to plan miss connecting flights.
The exception might well be when an aircraft suffers a mechanical or technical failure.
When poor weather conditions might affect a journey which requires an aircraft change, however, those with more than one brain cell will take weather into consideration too.
Far too many passengers in the U.S. know the situations which might cause disruption, yet they still plan to fail.
so familiar with US airlines and living on US time... yet ignorant and blissfully carefree about UK airlines in your posts.
It's like you don't even live there. Though your syntax gives that away already. It might be the worst 18th century rendering of an accent I've ever seen, if you didn't constantly mix in other English accents with it
one might almost conclude you aren't British, at all...
For such a dim creature you have actually come to somewhat of an accurate assumption …. actually I am English.
Real English people know better than to associate their heritage with those who call themselves British.
And yet your writing style is that of a pompous brit from a cliche 18th century tv show.
Real English people don’t talk or sound like you, English or British. They certainly don’t care about delta like you do
Mixed with someone that forgets his own accent over and over
Try again, tim. I shouldn’t have to keep reminding you of your own bedtime. It’s like you post and live on the US east coast… because you do.
Troll bullying tactics are your only forte as you do not possess a single modicum of intelligence.
One can only imagine how sad your little existence must be.
What a tim styled response
The issue are the 45-60 minute connections that AA will sell, often the cheaper options so people take them. Even landing early at a large hub doesn't mean you're going to arrival (when the door is open) early.
For someone sitting in the back of coach the time they exit the jet bridge their connecting flight is in final boarding. Maybe they hustle to their connecting gate. But some need to go to the...
The issue are the 45-60 minute connections that AA will sell, often the cheaper options so people take them. Even landing early at a large hub doesn't mean you're going to arrival (when the door is open) early.
For someone sitting in the back of coach the time they exit the jet bridge their connecting flight is in final boarding. Maybe they hustle to their connecting gate. But some need to go to the bathroom. Get food (hungry). Or just waddle on to their connecting gate. If that plane is coming back to a hub the problem repeats. So at some point the GA needs to cut bait and close the door to give that flight a chance to arrive on time.
They routinely sell 25 minute connections in PHX and 30 minute ones in DFW. I feel so sorry for the infrequent fliers who book these itineraries with no clue of what they may be getting into.
Sounds great but in reality I have a feeling the checked luggage will still miss the connection and will either get stuck in the transit hub or will be on the next flight. Hopefully the new technology can also handle the checked luggage portion.
Damned decent of them. Probably still won't fly them if I can help it.
I had AA flight from DFW that was held for 20 minutes because it was the last departure of the day. Otherwise I haven't seen AA actively held the flights for connecting passengers
Probably what the software can do better than a person is quickly assess, not only based on count of passengers at risk of misconnecting, but the cost / difficulty of their individual itineraries having to be rebooked (where are they going, what options for recovery), their loyalty, etc. Everything that you would want to program into the logic. This has existed for years, just odd they haven't moved on this sooner.
This is long overdue.
I was once in a group of 8 passengers connecting in PHL for a flight to MUC. Our incoming flight was delayed but we still arrived in PHL before our flight to MUC was scheduled to depart. We had alerted the flight attendants on our incoming flight. They called ahead so that golf carts waiting for us at our arrival gate. We also alerted the gate agents at our arrival...
This is long overdue.
I was once in a group of 8 passengers connecting in PHL for a flight to MUC. Our incoming flight was delayed but we still arrived in PHL before our flight to MUC was scheduled to depart. We had alerted the flight attendants on our incoming flight. They called ahead so that golf carts waiting for us at our arrival gate. We also alerted the gate agents at our arrival gate who stated our flight to MUC was being held for us. One of the gate agents memorably stated: "We will take care of you."
The carts rushed us over to the gate for our flight to MUC. Of course it had departed early. Consequently, the airline had to provide hotel rooms, transfers, meals, and book all eight of us for the next night's flight. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
DL at work
That’s great, except for the other piece of AA technology where they force change your flight on you even if you would have had a chance to make your connection. Happened to me last month at DFW. And I’ll bet that software program will take precedence over this one.
My favorite was last month at DFW where the guy ahead of me in the customer service line had the genius AA software force change...
That’s great, except for the other piece of AA technology where they force change your flight on you even if you would have had a chance to make your connection. Happened to me last month at DFW. And I’ll bet that software program will take precedence over this one.
My favorite was last month at DFW where the guy ahead of me in the customer service line had the genius AA software force change his family’s next flight, when his next flight was… wait for it… being operated by the very same plane from the very same gate that we all just deplaned from. Scrambled to get a gate agent to try to help him (and the first person he approached decided it would be too complicated and said she was taking a 10 minute break before the supervisor standing next to her reprimanded her and told her to do her job).
Maybe, I don’t know, fix all of that first before focusing on whether folks that are just outside of the forced change system may need an extra 5 minutes to get to their next gate.
As Tim said, DL has been forcing people to misconnect for years
The real solution is to run a reliable enough airline with enough time that you don't have to continually wait for passengers. Other than a few minutes at the end of the day, there is an impact on the operation. Even at the end of the day, it cuts into crew rest if they aren't going to their domicile.
And this type of system has been in use by DL for years.
You need...
The real solution is to run a reliable enough airline with enough time that you don't have to continually wait for passengers. Other than a few minutes at the end of the day, there is an impact on the operation. Even at the end of the day, it cuts into crew rest if they aren't going to their domicile.
And this type of system has been in use by DL for years.
You need only look at DOT data on the number of complaints by passengers for flight problems to see that there is a significant difference in the number of complaints for each of the big 3.
this is all false. DL is famous for not even having computers at its HQ since it is america's least premium airline. many delta staff are famously unable to read basic English
Cmon Dim give Tim a chance.
However, fluffy Tim is correct. But only about the DOT number.
On the other hand, in practice DL doesn't normally hold planes for you but willing to sell you 35 minute connection in ATL. With expectations of the last flight. That's where DL do hold planes a bit longer.
DL also gets in ahead of schedule at much higher rates of other airlines.
and we don't have any indications that any airline routinely holds flights for any length of time during the day other than for groups on international flights.
“DL also gets in ahead of schedule at much higher rates of other airlines.”
It’s called block hour padding. Delta has padding block for years
Nothing to be proud of. Delta just assumes they’ll be late — always
More clap-trap from the troll generation!
Do get real DIM, you are only making an even bigger fool of yourself.
Look who’s awake late again. Careful. Don’t make your usual mistake of staying up past your UK bedtime ;)
So cute how you always seem to reply on behalf of tim Dunn but operate on Atlanta time ;)
And a brit who ONLY seems to care about Tim’s obsessions…
AWE relearning what they had removed from AAL since the hostile takeover.
Delta could never and would never (even if they could) bc they are not a premium airline. AA is much better. DL is the worst major airline in america
Dim, living up to your post name, ten fold.
If as you so wrongly claim “DL is the worst major airline in America” how come DL is currently rated 21st in the World Rankings, while AA is MUCH WORSE ranked a lowly 71st.
Do try harder to get real and stop posting absolute clap-trap just to impress your fan club.
You care so much about US airlines for a brit…?
And only seem to post on Tim’s time zone ;)
Speaking of trolls…
Guest profile at 439p
Diamond af 444p
Seems like tim is drunk and forgetting which name to post under again…
Dear Plain Jane, your unbalanced posts tell us more about you personally than anything else. From them one can see that you are obviously a compulsive, obsessive individual of limited intellectual capacity.
It is difficult for us to distinguish between your obsession for Tim Dunn or for me. We are not flattered. Your inability to tell the difference between us is a clear indication of your lack of intelligence darlink.
You think that...
Dear Plain Jane, your unbalanced posts tell us more about you personally than anything else. From them one can see that you are obviously a compulsive, obsessive individual of limited intellectual capacity.
It is difficult for us to distinguish between your obsession for Tim Dunn or for me. We are not flattered. Your inability to tell the difference between us is a clear indication of your lack of intelligence darlink.
You think that you can determine that our posts are from one and the same person, however, you are unable to grasp that at least one of us is regularly travelling between different time zones and that we reside on totally different continents. One is clearly English, whilst the other undoubtedly not so.
Furthermore, despite being ridiculed for not being able to grasp the fact that all posts are recorded with Ben’s Eastern timestamp, you choose to belittle yourself by ignoring the facts. A further indication of your stubbornness and incompetence.
Plain Jane, you need to get real lass (if you are indeed female?), grow up and move on with your life. The film Fatal Attraction comes to mind, could you really be as attractive as Glenn Close? …. somehow I doubt it, furthermore, most importantly, you couldn’t afford me darlink …. by the way I cannot speak for Tim.
Stalking dearie, is hardly conducive to good mental health, don’t you know?
says the guy compulsively checking the comment sections just like Tim Dunn...
Look at that.. you're diamond again ;)
So tough to keep track of your guest/member logins. I'm aware of Ben's timestamps. You seem to switch between guest and member logins like it's not even you ;)
And lesbian jokes as a reply? How original.
You and Tim spend paragraphs belittling others at this same grade-school level (do you know what...
says the guy compulsively checking the comment sections just like Tim Dunn...
Look at that.. you're diamond again ;)
So tough to keep track of your guest/member logins. I'm aware of Ben's timestamps. You seem to switch between guest and member logins like it's not even you ;)
And lesbian jokes as a reply? How original.
You and Tim spend paragraphs belittling others at this same grade-school level (do you know what grade school level is? I forget where you live). Your similarities are not unnoticed. Nor are your paragraph-long attempts to belittle those that notice it. Something you both do.
Grow up, Tim
7 paragraph reply in 20 minutes? I know someone else like that...
don't forget how "late" it is there, Aero
Troll bait and ignorant to boot.
6 minutes later…
OCD checking comments
Just like tim
You know who else is like that? Tim
Also the other poster that constantly calls his detractors trolls
What happened to your accent, govenuh’? Post too quickly?