Window, aisle or somewhere in between? American Airlines is making it easier for customers to find the perfect seat. A new feature in the American app lets eligible AAdvantage^® members 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 personalized 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.

Built by emerging technology talent around a real customer need

This new enhancement grew from American’s ADEPT program, a two-year guided development initiative designed to recruit and develop early-career technology talent. ADEPT combines hands-on agile delivery experience with business acumen learning so that participants not only develop technology solutions but also improve business workflows across the airline.

The work began with a straightforward customer problem: finding a seat that matches their preferences often meant returning to the seat map again and again. The ADEPT and Customer Experience teams translated that friction into a digital experience that monitors seat availability, evaluates a customer’s stated preferences and applies eligibility requirements behind the scenes. The result is a simplified experience for the customer powered by technology that monitors seat availability, applies preferences and manages eligibility behind the scenes.

“This latest technology launch shows what can happen when we give talented technologists a meaningful customer problem and the space to solve it,” said American’s Chief Digital and Information Officer Ganesh Jayaram. “The ADEPT team paired fresh thinking with the scale and experience of teams across American to build something practical: technology that removes work from the customer and makes the travel experience feel more seamless. The project also reflects how we’re using AI to help our teams work smarter, accelerating development and allowing technologists to spend more time focused on innovation and delivering value for customers.”

This project reflects how American is developing technology talent while building a repeatable pipeline for customer-focused innovation. Rather than starting with a technology and searching for a use, the team started with a known point of friction and designed the capability around the outcome that mattered most: making travel easier for the customer. The ADEPT team used AI-enabled tools to streamline parts of the design and development process, helping them move from concept to delivery more efficiently while keeping the focus on solving a real customer need.

*There are no additional charges for seat changes on single PNRs but American will not move customers into a higher priced paid seat, even if one comes available within their criteria, to avoid additional charges.

See more ways American is elevating the customer experience through technology:

• From booking to boarding: Giving customers more control throughout their journey
• American’s digital upgrades put more control at customers’ fingertips
• A new digital experience: American gives customers more timely flight information

American Airlines announced:

American Airlines has announced a multiyear partnership with Inter Miami CF, welcoming the premium global airline as the Club’s first-ever Official Airline Partner, as well as an Official Partner of Inter Miami CF and a Founding Partner of Nu Stadium and Miami Freedom Park. Bringing together two globally recognized brands with deep ties to Miami, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to connecting people, cultures and communities around the world through memorable experiences and a passion for the world’s beautiful game. Together, Inter Miami and American will create new ways for fans worldwide to engage with the Club through premium experiences, travel and exclusive access available through the AAdvantage^® program.

As part of the partnership, American will become the entitlement partner of the West Club at Nu Stadium, which will be named the American Lounge. Spanning the entire West Stand of the stadium and featuring more than 1,800 seats, the premium hospitality space will offer fans an elevated matchday experience while reinforcing American’s commitment to delivering exceptional travel and lifestyle experiences for customers. This collaboration also includes international rights that will further support both organizations’ global growth.

Through the airline’s award-winning AAdvantage^® loyalty program, Inter Miami CF Perks will provide AAdvantage^® members with exclusive opportunities to experience Inter Miami CF in new and unique ways. From behind-the-scenes access and premium matchday hospitality to once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities, the partnership will create more opportunities for members to engage with the Club while rewarding their loyalty to American.

Select AAdvantage^® member experiences will include:

• Pitchside access: The opportunity for fans to watch the second half of the match from the pitch side.
• Ultimate matchday experiences: Including travel to Miami, accommodations and access to the American Lounge.
• Fly away trip: Exclusive away match travel experiences providing fans with the opportunity to attend an Inter Miami CF away match.

Beyond Inter Miami CF Perks, AAdvantage^® members can also redeem miles for access to select matches and experiences, creating even more ways to turn loyalty into memorable moments on and off the pitch.

With Miami serving as one of American’s largest hubs and a key international gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, the airline is uniquely positioned to connect Inter Miami CF fans traveling to and from South Florida. Through its extensive network reaching more destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airline, premium travel offerings and industry-leading loyalty program, American will help bring fans closer to the team both at home and on the road.

American will also be integrated across Club content initiatives, including a travel-focused content series highlighting the journeys and experiences surrounding Inter Miami CF throughout the season.

Beyond enhancing the fan experience, Inter Miami CF and American will collaborate on community-focused initiatives throughout the year, including community initiatives designed to positively impact local communities. The partnership will also feature an annual American Theme Night, with the first scheduled for Oct. 14.

American joins a growing roster of strategic partners supporting Inter Miami CF as the Club enters an exciting new chapter in Miami. Anchored by Nu Stadium, the surrounding district is designed to deliver a year-round destination for fútbol, live entertainment, dining, retail, community programming and fan experiences. Fans can be part of the excitement by securing tickets and experiencing the passion firsthand.

American Airlines, in collaboration with Make-A-Wish® and Disney, recently hosted 14 Philadelphia-area families for Wish Flight, a one-of-a-kind travel experience for children fighting critical illnesses to fulfill their wishes to visit Walt Disney World Resort®.

Originally launched as Best Flight Ever in 2023, Wish Flight transforms travel into part of the wish experience. This year’s celebration began at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), where American team members and Make-A-Wish volunteers gathered to give wish families a memorable sendoff before departing for Orlando, Florida.From themed decorations and special surprises to gifted Disney ear headbands and a charter aircraft staffed by volunteer pilots and flight attendants, every detail was designed to make the sendoff extra special. The children enjoyed a slime station, face-painting, balloon art and even a dance floor with a special appearance by SWOOP, the mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Make-A-Wish children and their families receive a warm welcome from American Airlines team members and Make-A-Wish volunteers upon arrival at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

All of the children’s wishes are to visit Walt Disney World Resort, and together with Make-A-Wish, Disney has granted more than 175,000 life-changing wishes like these since 1980. The families will also enjoy a welcome reception at Give Kids The World Village, a whimsical nonprofit resort, where they will stay for six days and five nights while experiencing the magic of Disney.

American Airlines team members celebrate with Make-A-Wish families at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) before their Wish Flight departs for Walt Disney World Resort.

AAdvantage®members looking to support Make-A-Wish can donate miles through American’s Let Good Take Flight platform. Throughout September, all donated miles will benefit Make-A-Wish and its mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.Donating is simple. AAdvantage® members can log in to their account, navigate to the Donate pageand select the number of AAdvantage® miles they wish to contribute.* Members can select as few as 1,000 miles to help support those who need it most. Not an AAdvantage® member? Joining is easy and free at aa.com/aadvantage.*Minimum donation is 1,000 miles, except for members who have an available balance of less than 1,000 miles, who may donate their entire balance. Donations are not tax deductible. Processing can take up to 48 hours. American Airlines reserves the right to determine the final use of miles within the guidelines of the Miles for Social Good, Miles for Global Health and Well-Being, Miles for Heroes and Miles for Our Planet programs.