American Airlines Adds Seating Perk for Loyalty Programme Members

American Airlines has upgraded its app, making it easier for frequent customers to find the perfect seat.

A new feature in the American app lets eligible members of the airline's frequent flyer loyalty programme AAdvantage select the seat characteristics they want upon completing their booking. The feature then automatically moves them when a matching seat becomes available.

Instead of checking the seat map multiple times before a trip, AAdvantage members can choose preferences such as a window, aisle or middle seat and let the app do the work. If an eligible seat matching those preferences becomes available, the app automatically updates the reservation and notifies the customer.

"At American, we're always looking for ways to make travel easier and more personalised for our customers," said American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. "This latest innovation proactively addresses customer preference. It is a simple experience that gives customers more control while asking them to do less."

The seat monitoring feature is available up to 24 hours before departure for AAdvantage members traveling on single-passenger reservations with an assigned seat. AAdvantage members can opt in and tailor choices upon completing their booking.

Seat changes are limited to eligible seats within the customer's existing cabin and will not result in additional seat charges. Customers set the preferences that guide the feature and control changes to their seat.

This latest enhancement is another step in American’s shift to digital experiences that make a customer’s travel journey easier and more seamless. By reducing routine monitoring and simplifying a common travel decision, the airline’s newest feature helps customers spend less time managing trip details and more time focused on the journey.