American developed Smart Gating technology so our aircraft spend less time waiting on the tarmac and customers have more time to make their connections. The tool was developed by American’s Information Technology and Operations teams to reduce gate conflicts, ease ramp congestion and shorten taxi times. It’s one of many ways we are using innovative technology to drive a more reliable and efficient operation.

Developed by American’s Information Technology and Operations teams, Smart Gating technology uses real-time flight information and other data points to automatically assign arriving aircraft to the nearest available gate with the shortest taxi time. American first started testing the tool at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in 2021. Since then, the tool has helped the carrier shorten aircraft taxi times at DFW by 20% or about two minutes per flight. Those minutes add up – Smart Gating has helped American reduce the amount of time its aircraft spend taxiing at DFW by more than 11 hours each day. It has also reduced gate conflicts and on-the-ground gate changes, where arriving aircraft must wait for an available gate, by more than half.

Smart Gating helps American reduce the total time aircraft spend taxiing by 17 hours each day, which saves an estimated 1.4 million gallons of jet fuel annually – enough to fill up 29 Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.