American Airlines has introduced a convenient update for non-revenue (non-rev) travelers, making it easier than ever to access your boarding pass. Starting Wednesday, January 13th, you can receive your boarding pass directly via email for American Airlines and American Eagle flights. This new digital approach aims to provide greater ease for travelers and reduce congestion at airport gates, recognizing that in 2019, gate agents dedicated over 44,000 hours to processing 3.9 million non-rev passengers.
Boarding passes will be sent to the email addresses you provide in the Travel Planner when you list for a flight. While this digital delivery system is designed for efficiency, American Airlines understands that there are times when a printed boarding pass is necessary. For those without email access while traveling or who simply prefer a physical copy, printed boarding passes are still available upon request from gate agents.
Want to learn more about this new system and understand when and how you might still need to print out your American Airlines boarding pass? Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the New Digital Boarding Pass System for Non-Rev Travelers
The primary method for receiving your boarding pass is now digital, sent directly to your email. This streamlines the process and is intended to make travel smoother. However, it’s important to know how the system works and when you might still need a printed version.
How to Receive Your Digital Boarding Pass via Email
When booking your flight through Travel Planner, you’ll encounter a new required field to input your preferred email address.
Alt text: Travel Planner interface showing the new required email address fields for receiving digital boarding passes.
You have the option to enter up to two email addresses. These addresses will be used to send the boarding passes. Each traveler on a booking will receive a separate email containing their individual boarding pass. For instance, if you are traveling with your family of four, and you provide both your email and your spouse’s, both of you will receive four emails each, one for every family member’s boarding pass.
This feature also accommodates bookings for others, such as registered companions or parents. You can enter their email address, or include your own as a secondary contact.
For bookings made before January 13th, boarding passes will be sent to the email address already on file in Travel Planner. You can, however, add additional email addresses to your reservation in Travel Planner at any time before check-in.
When You Might Need to Print Your Boarding Pass
While the digital boarding pass is convenient, there are situations where printing your American Airlines boarding pass becomes necessary or preferable:
- No Mobile Device or Email Access: If you are traveling without a smartphone or other device to access your email, you will need a printed boarding pass.
- Technical Issues: In cases of technical difficulties, such as phone battery depletion, inability to access email due to internet connectivity problems, or system malfunctions, a printed pass is a reliable backup.
- Personal Preference: Some travelers simply prefer the security and tangibility of a printed boarding pass.
American Airlines ensures that even with the new digital system, you can still obtain a printed boarding pass when needed.
Getting a Printed Boarding Pass at the Airport
Even with the email delivery system, obtaining a printed boarding pass remains straightforward. Upon arrival at the gate, it is still recommended to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before domestic departures (90 minutes for international travel). Wait for the gate agent to call your name to check in. Inform the gate agent that you are a non-rev traveler and if you require a printed boarding pass, simply request one. They will clear your seat assignment and can provide a printed boarding pass if you prefer or if you haven’t received your digital pass.
After check-in, you should also check your email inbox for your digital boarding pass, which will look similar to this:
Alt text: Image of a digital American Airlines boarding pass as it appears in an email, displaying flight details and a barcode.
For connecting flights, you will initially receive a digital boarding pass for your first flight and a printed verification card for subsequent segments. Once a seat is assigned for your connecting flight, a new boarding pass will be emailed to you.
A Note About Seat Assignments
The seat assignment process for non-rev travelers remains unchanged. You will be assigned seats in the highest class of service available based on your flight listing. If a seat change is necessary, a revised boarding pass will be issued and sent to you via email.
American Airlines appreciates your understanding and flexibility as this new system is implemented. Should you encounter any issues retrieving your boarding pass at the gate, please do not hesitate to request a printed copy from the gate agent.
