Flight changes on AA?

[Stitchfans]

I read on another thread that AA is known for changing flight numbers and times without a notice. Is this true? And if so, how do you keep track to make sure you are there in time and at the right place at the right time?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I read on another thread that AA is known for changing flight numbers and times without a notice. Is this true? And if so, how do you keep track to make sure you are there in time and at the right place at the right time?

AA is not the biggest culprit here. In fact, most legacy carriers will adjust their schedules twice a year. If you've made a reservation prior to an adjustment period for a flight that departs after, there MAY be a schedule change. There may not. AA notifies you of changes to any itinerary you have booked via email or fax, depending and the method you chose for contact when you originally booked your flight.

The only airline where I've been reading that makes changes all the time to their schedules is Delta. With the other carriers it's usually a one time deal, if it is changed at all.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Actually I have flown on many AA flights where the flight time has been changed, due to weather problems or mechanical problems. It's no different than any other airline; they all make changes.

Usually can can sign up for an email or telephone notification for flight changes. On AA, you can sign up for Flight Status Notification:

https://www.aa.com/aa/travelInformation/createFSNAccess.do?anchorEvent=false&anchorEvent=false

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Correct me if I am wrong.... but it sounded like he was asking about actual time table/schedule changes rather than last minute flight delays or cancellations due to weather and mechanical issues.

Either way, AA will notify you of advance schedule changes as a policy and courtesy if you provide an email address when you book a flight. As you noted, they will also advise you of last minute changes for the above-noted reasons if you sign up for notification at aa.com

Actually I have flown on many AA flights where the flight time has been changed, due to weather problems or mechanical problems. It's no different than any other airline; they all make changes.

Usually can can sign up for an email or telephone notification for flight changes. On AA, you can sign up for Flight Status Notification:

https://www.aa.com/aa/travelInformation/createFSNAccess.do?anchorEvent=false&anchorEvent=false

 

[dudspizza]

To answer the OP question. Simply keep an eye on your itinerary at aa.com. If it changes, it will be reflected there. I am wondering if by AA you mean Airtran Airways. They move their flights quite often and that has been discussed at length here on the DIS. If it is them, keep an eye on airtran.com in the "my itineraries" section. All airlines will keep the itinerary area up to date with any changes.

I personally have not had one move with my AA (American Airlines) flights. They were purchased Nov. 30 for flights in June and there has been no movement at all. My Airtran flights, on the other hand, moved all over the place. Delta has changed flight times or better yet, flight numbers meaning all seat assignments are lost until you call back. Sun Country has moved our flight.... every airline will move flights to fit best in their schedule to make money.... SW is one of the few that set a schedule and stick to it.... unless there is mechanical or weather related issues.

Duds

 

[Stitchfans]

Thank you everyone. I was referring to American Airlines. If their policy is to contact you by email then I guess I can sit back and relax.

 

[gw_lit]

Thank you everyone. I was referring to American Airlines. If their policy is to contact you by email then I guess I can sit back and relax.

I still wouldn't plan on just "sitting back and relaxing". Even though they should contact you by email of any changes, in my experience, it doesn't always happen. I'd suggest pulling up your reservation from AA.com every week or so just to make sure there hasn't been any changes.

 

[princesskaelybear]

I just purchased our June flights on Friday 2/9 and they have already changed flight times and numbers since then. We haven't been notified via email yet about those changes. I just happened to be checking the reservation. Luckily, my times were changed to allow more time at WDW - so I'm not complaining.
Last year when we went to WDW on AA, our flight times changed about a month prior to departure. We were notified via email.

 

[dudspizza]

Thank you everyone. I was referring to American Airlines. If their policy is to contact you by email then I guess I can sit back and relax.

I must have JINXED myself. I went to aa.com today and sure enough my flight to LAX had changed. We leave 35 minutes earlier which is fine with me. Seat assignments are still intact, so no problem. On my itineraries page, it states in bold RED letters that there has been a change to my itinerary. I also noted that my aircraft had changed from a MD-80 to a 757 for my LAX-StL return flight. I simply went in and changed the seats to ones that I liked better, though I really preferred the 2x3 seating of the MD-80 vs the 3x3 of the 757. DW and the girls will sit in seats ABC and I will sit across the aisle in D.

No email from them, but it just happened between now and last night. I would expect an email will come closer to the June trip. I personally check my flights many times a week just in case. In the case of my Sun Country flights changing a few years back. I noticed it on the web and didn't like that we had to leave earlier from WDW. So, when they called I simply asked if they would put us on the flight the next day.... no problem and we gained an extra day at WDW. It paid to know about the change ahead of time and I was able to be prepared when they called.

Happy flying!

Duds

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

As you may have noticed, the flight schedules
did change today. I have a non-rev ticket booked for July and the schedule for the flight was adjusted by 11 minutes. Same flight number, same seat...

Expect another flight schedule update about 2 months prior to the end of daylight savings time, too.

 

[momto4obkids]

I just booked our June flights on fri 2/9 and checked my flights on AA , they had been moved up by ten minutes and the flight numbers have changed. I didn't get an email for it but it does say in red type that there has been a change.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As you may have noticed, the flight schedules
did change today.

I guess American Airlines does change their flight schedules!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

<this content edited> Those 10 demerits are sooo tempting... but suffice it to say I'm glad you caught on this time!

I guess American Airlines does change their flight schedules!

 

[Stitchfans]

Aw man, not sure what I am doing wrong but I am having problems checking it. Guess I better call them and talk to customer service. Shame things can't go smoothly without changes being made and not being informed about it.

 

[dudspizza]

Aw man, not sure what I am doing wrong but I am having problems checking it. Guess I better call them and talk to customer service. Shame things can't go smoothly without changes being made and not being informed about it.

Are you a frequent flyer member or did you sign up for it when you booked? I sign in using my FF number and then go to my itineraries...

Duds

 

[Stitchfans]

Finally figured it out. Noticed both flight numbers to Orlando and coming home was changed. The time to leave was changed from 11:15 to 10:40 a.m.

How often are changes made? What is the possibility of it being changed again? We didn't get a warning for this one, so I am wondering what if it happens again. You'd think they would warn their customers.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I can only speak for AA. They make 2 system-wide changes each year. They used to occur roughly 60 days prior to both the beginning and the end of daylight savings time. This year it was roughly a bit over 30 days. The system-wide changes made just recently affected flights on or after April 1, 2007. Another system-wide change will occur in August or September, for flights that depart on or after 10/1/07. Some routes change, some don't.

YMMV

Finally figured it out. Noticed both flight numbers to Orlando and coming home was changed. The time to leave was changed from 11:15 to 10:40 a.m.

How often are changes made? What is the possibility of it being changed again? We didn't get a warning for this one, so I am wondering what if it happens again. You'd think they would warn their customers.

 

[bavaria]

ditto for United.

As to advising customers, remember that the further away your flight, the longer it will take to advise you of changes. They will advise customers on the upcoming flights first.

Duds is correct - continue to monitor your flights on the airline website.