American Airlines announced that it is expanding the use of a new technology aimed at reducing the number of passengers who attempt to cut in line when boarding an aircraft. The airline announced that it will implement new technology to scan boarding passes at more than 100 US airports following a successful month-long trial at Albuquerque Sunport International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport.

The behaviour known as “gate lice” in industry jargon is when a customer boards before their assigned group is called. Many passengers looking for a low-cost ticket rush to board the plane to find availability in overhead bins for carry-on luggage. Some analysts believe that American Airlines triggered that behaviour when it became the first major airline to charge for checked baggage in 2008. American collected about $1.4 billion in baggage fees in 2023, more than any other US airline, according to US Department of Transportation data.

The new software, which was first announced last month, will not accept the boarding pass and instead makes an audible sound to alert the gate agent and customer that the group has not yet been called. In these instances, the American team member will invite the customer to rejoin the line when their boarding group is called.

“We’ve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because it’s a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase,” said Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, Reservations and Service Recovery. For customers travelling with a companion in an earlier boarding group, the agent has a simple one-click solution to override the alert and accept the pass to continue boarding.

The ability to confirm the customers who can board in their assigned group is just one feature of a new software platform developed in-house at American to support the airline’s team and customers. “The initial positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations,” said Rath. “We are thrilled to leverage this technology to deliver for them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.”