We offer early boarding to customers who need special assistance or more time to board, along with families with children under 2 years who ask to board early. Strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding and picked up after your flight at the gate, free of charge.

American Airlines provides early boarding for families with children under 2 years old, but it is not "automatic" for all families. To take advantage of this, you must speak with a gate agent before the boarding process begins and ask to board early. These families are typically invited to board just before Group 1, allowing parents extra time to secure strollers, find overhead bin space, and settle their toddlers before the main rush. For families with children aged 2 to 14, American Airlines does not offer a dedicated early boarding group; however, their system is designed to automatically search for seats together before departure, ensuring that children under 15 are seated next to at least one adult in their party. If you are traveling with older children and want to board early, your best option is to hold an elite AAdvantage status, use a co-branded airline credit card that grants "Group 5" boarding, or purchase a "Main Cabin Extra" seat. In 2026, the focus for families on American is more on "seating integrity" than "boarding priority," ensuring the actual flight is as stress-free as possible.