What happened
View from the Wing reports that American Airlines this week let disrupted passengers join a free earlier-flight standby list from Flight Options or Rebook Trip in the app and on aa.com, without giving up the confirmed replacement until they clear. The capability showed up in the carrier's October 26 iPhone app notes before going live.
The screen can display up to three earlier flights, but only one standby list is allowed, and passengers can leave or change it on their own. The options shown are nonstops, not every possible routing. Getting on the earlier flight cancels the backup seat, so travelers who may not make it should get off the list first. Anyone whose flight was canceled still needs a confirmed new seat before standby is available. Same-day confirmed changes still follow the old, restrictive rules.
United's disruption standby already monitors more than one earlier flight and alerts the customer when a seat appears. Elite and other points travellers stuck on a much later rebooking can now self-list without waiting on hold. After a disruption, add earlier nonstop standby from Flight Options before calling and leave the list if that flight cannot be made.
- Numbers
- 2017 year: when American first offered same-day changes and standby in its app
- Who qualifies
- Passengers whose trips are disrupted and who rebook via the American Airlines app or aa.com
- Takeaway
- After a disruption, open Flight Options in the American app or on aa.com and add earlier nonstop standby before calling, and drop off the list if you cannot make that flight.