American Bows to Technology, Ends In-Flight Gate Announcements

Denver, B22. Omaha, B17. Philadelphia, A4. Portland, zzzzzzzz .…
Photographer: Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images
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You are now free to enjoy your in-flight entertainment, uninterrupted. The world’s largest airline, American Airlines Group Inc., plans to stop on-board announcements of connecting gate information as flights prepare to land.

The change, effective May 17, is a concession that technology has rendered the announcements moot, as passengers now travel equipped with an array of Internet-connected gadgets. American also displays gate information via the seat-back screens on its newer aircraft.