October 23rd 2024.
In the United Kingdom, queuing is a cultural institution that is as important as having a cup of tea. It is considered rude and undemocratic for someone to try and jump ahead in line. This is especially true at airports, where people are eager to board the plane and start their vacation. However, some passengers still try to cut in front of others, causing frustration and delays. American Airlines has come up with a solution to this problem by testing a new technology that can detect and stop queue jumpers in their tracks.
Usually, airlines will call first class passengers to board before those in economy, even if there are no premium seats available. This means that priority boarding customers, such as those flying with Ryanair or EasyJet, will also get to board first. However, some people will try to board with a group that they did not pay for, just to get on the plane early and secure overhead locker space. This is where the new software comes in – as passengers scan their boarding passes at the gate, it will signal if they are in the wrong queue and prompt them to step aside and wait their turn.
The person manning the gate will then decide whether to let the queue jumper through or make them wait until the priority group has boarded. This technology has been well received by passengers and has not caused any delays in the boarding process. American Airlines is currently testing it in two airports in the United States, and if successful, it could be implemented in other popular UK airlines as well.
But queue jumping is not the only bad behavior that can happen on a plane. According to an American flight attendant, who goes by the name Cher on TikTok, putting any type of liquid bottle in the overhead bin is considered the worst thing a passenger can do. She explains that as the plane takes off and the air pressure drops, the air inside the cabin expands and can cause bottles to leak. Not only does this soak other passengers' bags, but it can also dump water on one unlucky person.
Cher, who has been a flight attendant for five years, describes this behavior as "heinous, evil, and diabolical." While it may be tempting to put a water bottle in the outer pocket of a backpack, she urges passengers to avoid doing so. This message has been viewed over 73,000 times, and many people can relate to her frustration. American Airlines has also acknowledged this issue and is currently working on improving the boarding experience for customers.
The new technology is designed to make priority boarding easier and provide better visibility for the airline's team. American Airlines currently operates in 10 UK airports and is the third-largest airline at Heathrow. This means that we could soon see the new technology implemented in the UK as well. Do you have a similar story to share? We would love to hear from you. Please send us an email.
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