How does airline grouping work?

For one thing, most airlines determine boarding groups based on ticketing class (first, business, economy or basic economy). Most airlines also base boarding class on passengers with disabilities, families with children under a certain age, active military members or other similar situations.



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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 4: Passengers in Premium economy and paying for priority access, AAdvantage Gold, oneworld Ruby status holders, Citi/AAdvantage Executive cardholders, and select corporate travelers.

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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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Hold AAdvantage, Oneworld or JetBlue elite status Most of the early American Airlines boarding groups are reserved for American Airlines, JetBlue and Oneworld elite members. 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.

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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. Group 3 includes passengers in window seats.

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Group 2 is mostly reserved for elite members. However, Flagship Business class passengers board during Group 2 if they're flying on a three-class aircraft. This is the case on American's Airbus A321T and its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Premium economy passengers also get priority boarding.

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It's not personal—it's business. Here's how airlines make their boarding group strategies, and what you can do about it. Credit cards, loyalty programs, cabin class, and ticket spend can all dictate when you get on the plane.

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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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You're more likely to be caught if you try to board with the first group or two. Unless the gate agent is a real jerk, or you are, the worst that can happen is that you'll be told to wait for your own group.

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Information for senior travelers Early boarding is available if you need more time or assistance boarding. You must identify yourself to the gate agent to request early boarding. Wheelchair assistance is available to help with long distances at the airport.

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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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American has four tiers of elite status: AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. Your American Airlines status for that year is based on flying and spending with American Airlines partners in a 12-month period starting on March 1 of each year.

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How are American Airlines boarding groups assigned? American passengers are put in the highest group for which they qualify. For example, basic economy passengers are typically assigned to Group 9. However, if a passenger with AAdvantage Gold elite status books a basic economy ticket, they will get upgraded to Group 4.

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You won't know for sure when your group will be called until it is, but once it's your turn you'll have an hour to get to the ride entrance and sign in.

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