American Airlines expands cashless cabins to all flights
From 1 February, American Airlines will be cashless on board all flights. American will accept Citi/AAdvantage MasterCard, as well as other major credit and debit cards, for purchases made in flight. Cash will not be accepted.
In an effort to streamline the inflight sales process, American first implemented cashless cabins on flights within the continental USA, as well as flights to and from Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, in June 2009. “The implementation of cashless cabins on select flights last summer has simplified the inflight transaction process for both customers and flight attendants,” said Lauri Curtis, American’s vice president – onboard service. “For this reason, we look forward to going cashless on board all American Airlines flights on 1 February.”
Flight attendants use a handheld onboard sales recorder, devices American has used since May 2006, to charge credit and debit cards, eliminating the need to search for small banknotes or change. Receipts are provided to passengers on request. American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights will continue to accept only cash for onboard purchases.
The airline will also change its checked bag charges, effective with tickets purchased on or after 1 February. The charges apply to travel within the USA, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights. American’s checked bag charges will change to US$25 for the first checked bag and US$35 for the second checked bag, payable at the airport on the day of travel.
As before, American’s premium customers are exempt from these checked bag charges – elite AAdvantage members, full-fare customers, confirmed passengers in the first- or business-class cabin, those travelling on military fares, and other travellers booked on the same record locator as the premium customer. American said that about 25% of its domestic customers paid checked bag charges, with other customers either exempt from the charge or choosing to not check a bag while abiding by American’s normal carry-on policies.
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