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Airline policies are constantly changing, resulting in regular updates to passenger bookings and boarding experiences . Southwest was the latest to make waves last week with updates to its EarlyBird Check-In and watch the same day Strategies. Border landed in hot water thus, thanks to a new trial concerning his All You Can Fly Pass . Today, American Airlines is entering the fray, with a new upgrade policy it is putting in place. Read on to find out why the airline is making this change and why some say it's "bad for customers."

RELATED: Travelers boycott Southwest over boarding change .

According to View From the Wing, American Airlines passengers cannot see so many upgrades as they have done in the past. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

The carrier's pilots recently approved a new four-year contract, which increases their pay, but also gives them an advantage when flying heads-up, that is, when flying with the airline as passenger to get somewhere between the segments they're working on.

One mile at a time gave the example of a pilot based in Charlotte and who must begin his journey from Dallas. He would then fly from Charlotte to Dallas. This process is different from commuting, which occurs when a pilot needs to get to the airport where they are based.

As One Mile at a Time explains, pilots commute by choice (if they decide to live outside of their base location), while dead-headed commutes are usually part of their "journeys" when they work.

And when it comes to the seats they get on those flights, American Airlines pilots will soon have earlier access to upgrades.

RELATED: Delta and American cut flights to 5 major cities starting next month .

According to One Mile at a Time, headlong pilots are assigned the "highest class of service" for transoceanic international flights, flights to Hawaii and Alaska, and flights south of the equator. However, for other routes, they are allocated to general economy class seats.

Where this starts to affect customers is when it comes to upgrades. If first-class seats are available within 24 hours of departure, the new contract stipulates that heads-up pilots originally assigned to economy class will be at the top of the list to obtain them.

Prior to this agreement, elite American Airlines members, such as Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members, were at the very top of this list. Pilots actually had to wait until all members had a chance to upgrade before upgrading to first class.

According to View From the Wing, "this is a union-negotiated benefit, for a better quality of work life." The outlet noted that when contacted for a statement, American directed them to a Press release confirming the new contract.

“Today is a very big day for our pilots and our airline,” said the CEO of American Robert isom said in the press release. "This agreement will help American immediately expand our pilot training capability to support underutilized aircraft and future flights and provide our pilots with more opportunities to advance in their careers."

Better life has contacted American Airlines for comment, but has not yet received a response.

RELATED: American cuts flights to 5 major cities from October 29 .

In response to X news, user @CXjuggernaut criticized the change, writing, "Good for pilots, bad for customers . Of course, most frequent flyers will tell you that upgrades are now rare. »

In the comments section of the One Mile at a Time article, another frustrated flyer wrote, “Do they treat their employees better than their customers? It should be a win-win situation and not a situation where customers look or feel like they are not being treated well. ".

Others criticized the US loyalty program in general.

"The whole loyalty program has gone hollow," read a comment on the View From the Wing article. The traveler listed changes he's seen, including "unnecessary waiting lists" and faster expiration of miles and points.

The customer added: "I feel like I'm chasing my tail so the [airline] employees can poke my nose in it!" »

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In terms of benefits, View From the Wing noted that the change "favours well-rested pilots." In first class, they benefit from more comfortable seats and relax, which several travelers support.

"Put me in the category of people who are not bothered by this. It will be a small number of flights," wrote one commenter in response to the View From the Wing article. "And almost every flight leaves with someone who was next on the upgrade list. Like others have said, just buy the [first class] ticket and then you'll have no worries."

In response to One Mile at a Time, another wrote: “Flying is [exhausting] even if you're just sitting. Pilots need to be upgraded as they need to work once they arrive and need to rest for the safety of their fellow man. flights."

In fact, one commenter said this should also apply to flight attendants, while someone else simply wrote, "I don't know how anyone could be against that [to be honest]" .