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Good News for Fliers! Connections Will Be Easier to Make in Some Airports

Making a connecting flight is always a little fraught. There’s nothing worse than racing against the constantly ticking clock of a tight connection: Will my first flight depart on time? Will we land as scheduled? How far away is the gate for the next leg of my trip? Will I make it, or end up stuck in limbo, frantically hunting for a new flight? I travel a lot, and this is why I always try to book a direct flight, but sometimes it’s just not possible.

Well, American Airlines is taking some of that stress out of air travel—at least for passengers who connect through certain airports. Read on to find out how the carrier is using tech to help fliers stay on track—and what you need to know if your flight runs late.

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How will connections be easier to make?

American Airlines is testing an in-house artificial intelligence tool called Connect Assist that identifies delayed flights carrying connecting passengers. The tool alerts ground crews to hold a connecting flight for up to 10 minutes, giving connecting passengers who are late a better shot at making it on board. However, this only happens if holding the flight won’t cause a cascading delay or schedule disruption.

The feature is being tested right now at several U.S. airports. (More on those below.)

How does American Airlines’s AI-powered system work?

American Airlines says its Connect Assist tool uses a complex algorithm to identify and flag delays that will affect incoming passengers with connecting flights. When the system and ground staff determine that a short wait won’t jeopardize an on-time departure, the departing aircraft can be briefly held.

Affected passengers are then notified via text with the length of the hold. This is critical guidance for scrambling, stressed-out travelers, since American closes boarding 15 minutes before departure. (Not to mention, your new gate could be far from your arrival gate.) Unfortunately, passengers whose initial flights experience a longer delay, such as from bad weather, won’t benefit, since the airline’s priority is to keep all flights departing on time.

Which airports are using the technology?

American announced in May 2025 that it was testing its Connect Assist AI technology at its Dallas-Fort Worth hub. Since then, the company has expanded the program nationwide and is now piloting it at international airports in Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina. And there are plans to roll it out to additional airports.

Are any other airlines exploring similar technology?

Yes. United Airlines started using an AI-powered tool called Connection Saver back in 2019 to keep customers in the loop on the status of connecting flights. According to United, the tool identifies departing flights that can be held without delaying the on-time arrival of fliers who have already boarded.

The app then provides passengers with information they need to make their flight, such as walking times, gate numbers and status alerts. United says that since the tool’s launch, it has saved more than 3.3 million customer connections.

Another major carrier, Delta, does not offer comparable connection-saving technology, but it does have Delta Sync on some planes. This feature allows SkyMiles members to log in and use their seat-back screens to view connecting flight information, but it does not have the ability to hold flights when connections are at risk.

What can you do if you miss your connection?

Even the best technology can’t prevent every travel snafu. If a tight connection causes you to miss your next flight, here’s how to respond quickly and smartly:

  • Use the airline’s digital tools. An airline’s app or website is often the fastest way to rebook after a missed connection. Some carriers now offer automated assistance like United’s Connection Saver, which presents rebooking options and allows passengers to join standby lists when they miss a connection.
  • Contact customer service, if needed. If the app or website doesn’t offer a workable option, call customer service. Travelers with airline-branded credit cards or elite status often have access to dedicated phone lines that offer additional flexibility and can speed up the rebooking process.
  • Gather details, and document everything. For especially long delays, such as one requiring an overnight stay, ask whether the airline will provide hotel vouchers, meal credits and transportation. Be sure to keep boarding passes, receipts and records of all communication with the airline, which will be vital later on when pursuing compensation or reimbursement.
  • Know your rights. Airline policies vary widely, and rules around missed connections and compensation can change. Look at your carrier’s contract of carriage to understand if the delay was within the airline’s control.

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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Fox News: “Major Airline Expands Passenger Test That Holds Flights to Help Prevent Missed Connections”
  • American Airlines: “Five flights a minute: American is ready for the summer 2025 travel season”
  • PR Newswire: “United Mobile App Now Gives People More Information About Their Connecting Flight”
  • Delta Sync: “Unlock In-Flight Exclusive Experiences and More with Your SkyMiles Membership”

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