Jakarta - iPhone users now have a new reason to abandon physical tickets. American Airlines officially adopted the latest boarding pass system on iOS 26, expanding an increasingly integrated digital travel ecosystem.
This step makes American Airlines the latest airline to take advantage of the boarding pass update in Apple Wallet, after being followed by United Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Boarding Pass Becomes a Mini "Super App"
This update was first introduced by Apple at the 2025 WWDC. The concept is simple but powerful: the boarding pass is not just a digital ticket, but a travel information center.
Now, users can directly access the airport map through Apple Maps, destination guides, to quick shortcuts to airline apps - all from one boarding pass view.
"Your boarding pass now comes with a new look and more features at your fingertips," American Airlines wrote in an update to its app.
Track Luggage Without Drama
One of the most interesting features is the integration of baggage tracking. With the support of Find My and devices such as AirTag, users can monitor the position of the suitcase directly from the boarding pass.
This feature was actually introduced since iOS 18.2, but now the integration is made more seamless. This means that you no longer need to switch apps to make sure your suitcase doesn't "go on vacation by itself".
Live Activities Still a Mess
Despite bringing many improvements, one feature that has not been confirmed is Live Activities - a real-time notification feature that should display live flight updates on the iPhone screen.
American Airlines has not mentioned this feature support in its latest update, so it is still a question mark for users.
This transformation is expected to become the new industry standard. A number of major airlines such as JetBlue, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Virgin Australia are said to be preparing to adopt a similar system.
But not all players are in line. Delta Air Lines instead chose to back away from Apple's boarding pass system and return to the previous approach.
American Airlines' move underscores the increasingly digital and integrated direction of the aviation industry. Boarding passes are now not only a means of entering the plane, but also a control center for travel.
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