Boston Prepares for US Airways, American Airlines Merger

Photo Credit: Getty Images

By SUSAN PETRONI

Beginning this weekend, all US Airways flights will be American Airlines.

In 2005, there were nine major airlines in the United States, with the merger of US Airways ad American Airlines there are now only four major airlines, who control 80 percent of the market.

For consumers, it’s the last domino to fall in a series of mergers that has squeezed nine of the USA’s biggest airlines into just four since 2005.

Those four airlines are Delta, United, Southwest and the “new” American Airlines Group.

American Airlines says customers will now have access to the world’s largest airline through a single reservations system.

Here are some helpful tips for customers who will be flying American at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) beginning Oct. 17:

• American will only operate departures out of Terminal B
• There will be three check-in locations: Gates 4-14, Gates 15-19, Gates 30-36
• New curbside signage will help customers find their correct drop-off and check-in locations
• American Airlines Shuttle flights (formerly US Airways Shuttle) will remain in Terminal B (Gates 15-19)
• American has two lounges in Terminal B on the upper level past security: Near Gate B4, Near Gate B30

Online and mobile app check-in

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, use aa.com or the American mobile app to check in for flights and get boarding passes as early as 24 hours before departure. The US Airways app will no longer be available, and usairways.com will reroute customers to aa.com before Oct. 18.

Online check-in »
Download the app »

Terminals, gates and flight status

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, customers can use aa.com to check their terminal of departure, gate locations and flight status. They can also sign up for automatic flight notifications or use the app to get last-minute changes and updates on the go.

Find your terminal and gate »

Sign up for flight notifications »

At the kiosk

Customers will have three ways to retrieve their reservations at American Airlines airport kiosks: their AAdvantage® number, six-digit record locator or by swiping a credit card issued in their name. Last names will no longer be used as the sole identifier for check-in. The “Dangerous Goods” screen will also change. Customers will need to acknowledge on the screen they are not carrying dangerous goods, as opposed to acknowledging and agreeing to the dangerous goods policy by clicking “yes” as they did previously with US Airways.

AAdvantage® benefits refresher

American has already combined the AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs for its frequent flyers, providing the ability to earn and redeem miles on both airlines. On Oct. 17, the upgrade, standby and same-day flight change policies will be fully aligned.

Please see aa.com for more information on upgrades and same day flight changes.

More about elite upgrades »
More about flight changes »

Customers can visit aa.com/arriving for the latest news and updates as American prepares to become one airline for its customers.

American Airlines Group is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with regional partners, operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.