How do I get better boarding groups?

Book a main cabin extra seat and don't fly basic economy If you want to board a little sooner, your next option is to book a main cabin extra seat, which is named differently depending on the airline. You can buy these seats online or at the check-in counter.



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Groups 1 and 2 are made up of passengers with elite status in MileagePlus and partner programs, as well as those passengers seated in premium cabins. Group 2 also includes United co-branded credit card members and passengers who have purchased Priority Boarding.

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Group 2. Group 2 on United boards after pre-boarding and Group 1. This group includes passengers who hold United Premier Silver or Star Alliance Silver status, those who've purchased Premier Access or priority boarding and most United credit cardholders.

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Right after passengers holding tickets with priority boarding (Groups 1 through 4) get on the plane, Group 5 (preferred boarding) goes next. To board in Group 5, you either need to purchase a main cabin extra upgrade or hold an eligible American Airlines credit card.

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Group 4 is considered priority boarding on American Airlines. Eligible passengers include elite flyers holder AA Gold or Oneworld Ruby status, as well as AirPass travelers, premium economy ticket holders, travelers who bought priority boarding and eligible corporate travelers.

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Group 2: MileagePlus and Star Alliance Silver members, paid Premier Access of Priority Boarding customers, select United co-branded cardholders (Explorer, Club, and Presidential Plus) Groups 3-5: Economy plus, economy, and Basic Economy passengers (board last)

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If you check in exactly 24 hours ahead of time, you'll usually end up somewhere in the B group. If you have a B group boarding position, the chances are good that you'll still be able to get a window or aisle seat or find 2 seats together if you're traveling with a companion.

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Group 1: Passengers in domestic first class and international business class, AAdvantage Executive Platinum status holders, and active duty US military personnel. Group 2: AAdvantage Platinum Pro and oneworld Emerald status holders. Group 3: AAdvantage Platinum and oneworld Sapphire status holders.

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Hold AAdvantage, Oneworld or JetBlue elite status No matter what tier of elite status you have, you'll get to board the flight during priority boarding — even if you're flying in economy. Executive Platinum members can board in Group 1, while Platinum Pro (and Oneworld Emerald) members may board in Group 2.

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If you need your carry-on bag during a long layover or prefer not to wait at a late-night baggage claim after a long day of flying, then purchasing a priority boarding upgrade may be well worth it. In essence, purchasing priority boarding is staking claim to readily accessible overhead bin space.

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Adding EarlyBird Check-In to your reservation will automatically check you in up to 36 hours ahead of your flight, giving you a higher boarding position. However, it doesn't guarantee an A group position. You could still get a B boarding position even if you pay for EarlyBird Check-In.

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Boarding group 7 on American Airlines includes general boarding for passengers who do not hold any elite status with AAdvantage or Oneworld and do not carry any of the eligible co-branded American Airlines credit cards.

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How much does Upgraded Boarding cost? Upgraded Boarding pricing starts at $30 per segment, per Customer, based on the popularity and length of each flight segment. A credit card must be used for the purchase of Upgraded Boarding.

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Group 5 is not priority boarding on American Airlines, but Preferred boarding. This group includes passengers that pay for Main Cabin Extra perks, as well as those who hold co-branded AAdvantage airline credit cards.

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After preboarding is complete, first-class ticketed passengers are the first boarding group. Then the process continues, in alphabetical order, beginning with Group A and ending with Group E.

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If you end up with A1, then it's your lucky day — you'll likely get to be the first passenger on the plane. There may be some exceptions for people with certain disabilities, pre-boarders or people on an earlier connecting flight. If you like to be the first on the plane, aiming for boarding group A is a good idea.

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Boarding group 5 on American Airlines includes Main Cabin Extra passengers (excluding Basic Economy tickets) and eligible AAdvantage credit card members. Group 5 is also known as preferred boarding.

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Boarding group 1 on American Airlines includes first class passengers, Executive Platinum members, active-duty U.S. military members with military I.D., and business class passengers when the flight is on a 2-class international plane.

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