American Airlines supports self-help for flyers

FORT WORTH, Texas -- American Airlines is installing self service kiosks at 30 terminals. The machines, called OneStop Self-Service kiosks, reduce customer boarding times.

Using the kiosks, flyers can get boarding passes, select their seats, and at some locations even check their luggage.

American customers must have electronic tickets and either AADVANTAGE Executive Platinum, Platinum or Gold membership cards, or a major credit card. Transactions are made using a touch-screen.

American flyers can now swipe and fly at nine airports: Albuquerque, N.M.; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Chicago O'Hare; Dallas-Love Field; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; San Antonio, Texas, and San Jose, Calif. By the end of the summer, American hopes to install 300 additional devices at airport ticket counters, departure gates and selected Admirals Clubs in more than 30 cities. Approximately 40,000 customers used the kiosks in March, 2001.

The OneStop software application was developed by Sabre, Inc. and runs on a device manufactured by Northrop Grumman.