Yes, you can almost always upgrade your boarding position in 2026, though the method varies by airline. On Southwest Airlines, the most popular way is purchasing Upgraded Boarding, which secures you a position in the A1–A15 group for a fee (usually $30–$80) at the gate or on the app. On legacy carriers like United or American, you can purchase "Priority Boarding" or "Group 2" access as a standalone add-on for roughly $15 to $25, which allows you earlier access to overhead bins. Alternatively, many travelers in 2026 "upgrade" their boarding indirectly by purchasing a premium seat (like Economy Plus or Business) or by holding a co-branded airline credit card, which often grants a higher boarding zone automatically. Some airlines also offer "bundled" fares that include priority boarding as a standard feature. In 2026, it is important to note that "Basic Economy" tickets are often ineligible for boarding upgrades, as these restrictive fares are designed to keep passengers in the final boarding groups regardless of their willingness to pay for a faster entry.