American Airlines Wants to Hold Your Connecting Flight

American Airlines wants to help you catch that tight connection.

This week, the airline announced it will begin trialing new technology designed to help travelers make connections they might otherwise miss due to scheduling delays.

The technology will identify travelers with tight connections who are at risk of missing their next flight. It will then alert the crew on the connecting flight and propose a “short hold” to allow those travelers to board—so long as the delay doesn’t impact American’s broader schedule.

While airlines have done it in the past, the new technology will automate the process, and helps “hold certain connecting flights so the airline can help even more customers make their connections,” American said.

American will first test the technology at its Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) hub. The airline plans to expand testing to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), with additional hubs to follow later this summer.

American wasn’t specific on exactly how long they could hold a connection, it only said that if it “determines it can delay the flight without any impact to the airline’s schedule, we will propose a short hold to get those connecting customers onboard.”

The move is the latest in a series of changes American has made in recent months as it aims to become a more customer-focused airline. Other updates include adjusting the boarding order, eliminating baggage re-checks on select international flights, and allowing travelers to use AAdvantage miles for in-flight food and beverages.

American is gearing up for a busy summer. Between May 16 and Sept. 2, the airline is scheduled to operate more than 715,000 flights.