American Airlines' top customers to get priority security screening, boarding

American Airlines, under fire for poor customer-satisfaction ratings, will add check-in and boarding services for top customers including those traveling in first- or business-class.

American, the nation's largest carrier, said Monday it will give priority check-in and, at several large airports, priority security screening to top customers. Beginning Sept. 30, it will also offer one boarding lane at gates just for priority customers.

The benefits, called PriorityAAccess, will be offered to customers in first- and business-class, those paying full-fare for coach seats and top members of its AAdvantage frequent-flier and Oneworld alliance programs.

Mark Mitchell, the airline's managing director of customer experience, said American was trying to provide services that customers want.

"PriorityAAccess benefits provide a differentiated experience for our top customers at the ticket counter, at security checkpoints, and at the gate," he said.

The rollout of the new services is expected to be complete by the end of October.

In a recent survey by consumer research firm J.D. Power and Associates, American ranked fifth among eight traditional North American network carriers for customer satisfaction. It ranked behind Alaska and Continental, which tied for first, Delta and Air Canada but ahead of US Airways, Northwest and United. The latter two tied for last place.