American Airlines is taking a bold step toward transforming the way its customers travel by rolling out a newly redesigned mobile app. The update, which will be fully deployed by the end of May, reflects the airline’s deep commitment to improving the travel experience through enhanced digital tools. With a fresh look, improved navigation, and features that directly reflect customer feedback, the updated app aims to make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
The redesign is not just a cosmetic overhaul. Instead, it’s a thoughtful reimagining of how travelers interact with American Airlines’ digital ecosystem. The airline’s objective is to streamline the mobile experience, reduce stress, and increase convenience from booking to boarding. According to Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, this update is rooted in listening to travelers.
“We’re dialed in to delivering on new ways to make our customers’ travels with us as easy as possible, so improving their most powerful tool — the app — is a significant focus of ours,” Garboden said. “Over the last year, our team has been taking feedback from customers to understand their pain points and wish lists to make sure we’re tailoring the next evolution of the app to deliver what they want most.”
The app’s transformation is the culmination of months of development, driven by surveys, user testing, and direct customer conversations. This user-centered design philosophy ensures that the features customers use the most are the ones that get the most attention.
What’s New in the App?
The redesigned American Airlines app is packed with features developed directly from traveler input. At the core of the new experience is a more intuitive and personalized interface:
- Personalized Home Screen: The home screen now gives travelers an at-a-glance view of their most relevant information, including upcoming trips and AAdvantage® account status. The personalization ensures that users aren’t hunting for basic information — it’s right where they need it.
- iPad Compatibility: Responding to customer demand, the app is now optimized for iPad, giving travelers more flexibility to plan and manage their trips across devices.
- Dedicated AAdvantage® Hub: A brand-new section of the app focuses entirely on AAdvantage® members, offering a clear, easy-to-navigate overview of status, miles, and benefits. It simplifies loyalty tracking and makes it easier for members to understand how to maximize their rewards.
- Comprehensive Trip Management: The app now features a dedicated area for upcoming trips — near-term and long-term — and makes it easy to check flight status, review trip details, and make adjustments as needed.
- Simplified Navigation: Borrowing from the design language of other popular apps, the updated navigation structure feels familiar and user-friendly. This makes it easier for both frequent flyers and occasional travelers to get the most out of the app.
- Destination Inspiration: In a nod to the spirit of travel, the app includes content to inspire users with ideas about destinations served by American Airlines. This feature helps travelers discover new places while seamlessly integrating opportunities to book and plan.
- Live Activities for iOS Users: For Apple device users, the app includes iOS-specific enhancements like Live Activities, which allow real-time flight updates to be displayed directly on the lock screen. This feature ensures that users remain informed of changes without even unlocking their phones.
A Foundation for the Future
While the current rollout already introduces several new features, American Airlines views this as just the beginning. The redesign lays a flexible, modern foundation that will allow the airline to rapidly iterate and introduce even more enhancements in the near future. Whether it’s more robust self-service options, smarter notifications, or integration with travel partners, the goal is to create a comprehensive digital travel assistant.
Heather Garboden emphasized that this update represents a platform for continuous innovation. “This newly redesigned app is the first step in giving us a base that will allow us to continue to build and release new features so we can always deliver what customers value most,” she said.
The update is also part of a broader digital transformation underway at American Airlines, one that recognizes the central role mobile technology plays in modern travel. From gate information and baggage tracking to loyalty perks and in-flight entertainment, the mobile app is becoming the digital hub for the customer journey.
Listening and Evolving
American’s digital team has made it clear: the app will continue to evolve based on ongoing customer feedback. Future updates may include more advanced personalization, deeper integration with AAdvantage® partners, improved accessibility features, and expanded language support to serve the airline’s global customer base.
Travelers who download or update the app will be among the first to experience a new era of digital travel with American Airlines. As the airline continues to build out its mobile ecosystem, it’s inviting customers to play a role in shaping its direction. After all, the best travel tools are the ones designed by the people who use them.
In the fast-moving world of air travel, where every minute and click counts, American Airlines’ new app promises to put power back in the hands of passengers — making every step of the journey smoother, simpler, and more enjoyable.