American Airlines passengers will soon have a new experience when using the carrier’s mobile app. Between now and the end of May, the airline will roll out the new in-app experience to all of its customers.
According to the announcement, the Fort Worth, Texas based carrier is revamping the app to fulfill customers’ most-requested features. The redesigned look and feel of the app, on a new platform, will allow for future app upgrades and new features down the road. Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, had this to say about the launch:
“We’re dialed in to delivering on new ways to make our customers’ travels with us as easy as possible, so improving their most powerful tool — the app — is a significant focus of ours. Over the last year, our team has been taking feedback from customers to understand their pain points and wish lists to make sure we’re tailoring the next evolution of the app to deliver what they want most. This newly redesigned app is the first step in giving us a base that will allow us to continue to build and release new features so we can always deliver what customers value most.”
What You’ll Find in the New American Airlines Mobile App
According to American, the new app interface will feature the following attributes based on the input from passengers:
- A personalized home screen featuring upcoming, near-term trips and high level information about their AAdvantage loyalty account;
- The ability to use the app seamlessly on an iPad;
- A dedicated section for AAdvantage members with information to explain status and miles as well as information about the member’s account;
- A new section dedicated to all upcoming trips plus options to review flight status and locate a trip;
- Easy-to-use navigation with similar look and feel to other apps customers use in their daily lives;
- Inspiration about destinations to which American flies and ways to engage with the airline’s partners;
- iOS upgrades including Live Activities to display real-time flight updates on the lock screen.
In addition to the upgrades, the mobile app will retain the in-app features that you’re accustomed to including, but not limited to, the ability to check-in, add bags, assign seats, receive a mobile boarding pass, and see security wait times at select airports.
The American Airlines Mobile App Upgrade is Long Overdue
I’m excited to see that American is investing in its mobile app functionality. Among the big three U.S. carriers, I find that United has the best mobile app, American is the worst, and Delta falls somewhere in the middle.
This upgrade appears to incorporate many of the items that travelers want from an airline app and also leaves the door open for continued improvement in the future. There is no word yet on how the airline plans to roll out the new app and I’d be curious to know how many people currently have it available.
I updated my American Airlines mobile app via the App Store and unfortunately I am still seeing the old version of the app, for now.
Summary
American Airlines is slowly introducing a new version of its mobile app complete with a variety of customer friendly features. The new features were developed based on feedback from customers and paves the way for additional upgrades in the future. There is no word on how many people can utilize the new version, with American only stating it will phase it in between now and the end of May.