News

American Airlines adds more self-service options

September 15, 2005

FORT WORTH, Texas - Passengers who want to check more than two bags can now do so at American Airlines' self-service machines and put the baggage charge on their credit card. According to a news release, after the first two bags are checked for free, a passenger traveling domestically can now check up to three additional bags, under 50 pounds each, through this automated check-in process for the standard baggage surcharge. In the past, a customer wanting to check more than two bags would have needed to check in at the ticket counter.

According to a survey of American Airlines passengers, the ability to check baggage at self-service machines is the third-most popular functionality following check-in and the ability to change a seat assignment.

American has also added self-service machines in six additional airports - Champagne, Ill., Evansville, Ill., Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., Shreveport, La., Fort Wayne, Ind., Peoria, Ill., continuing its expansion of self-service convenience. These airports are served by American Eagle, American's regional airline.

"Our goal is to make the check-in process as smooth as possible for our passengers," said Maya Leibman, American's managing director-airport automation. "We know that many of our passengers travel with more than two bags, so the next logical step to enhance self-service check-in was to add an additional baggage feature and add locations so self-service convenience is available for more passengers."

American Airlines has deployed its self-service check-in at more than 94 airports across the United States and Canada, Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris and Heathrow Airport in London.

Passengers using a self-service machine can check-in, print and reprint boarding passes and check luggage in as little as 30 seconds. Currently, more than 65 percent of American passengers use an automated check-in option.