Loading Page...

How to get an earlier boarding group with American Airlines?

You can board your flight early if you: Earn AAdvantage elite tier status. There are four tiers you can earn by flying American Airlines: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. Depending on the tier, you can board with Group 2, 3 or 4.



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

There is priority boarding for customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability or who need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. In that case, you'll board before Family Boarding, between the A and B groups.

MORE DETAILS

Customers who need special assistance and families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

MORE DETAILS

Economy passengers, including those with basic economy fares, can purchase a priority boarding add-on to enter the plane with Group 4. You can't purchase this upgrade during the initial booking process, so you'll need to add it during check-in, online or at the airport. How many boarding groups on American Airlines?

MORE DETAILS

One of these benefits is often priority (or preferred) boarding. It exists so you can board the plane before most passengers, and you'll have plenty of time to find bin space for your carry-on and settle into your seat before the frenzied reprobates stampede aboard. This is a great benefit! Most of the time.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Booking American Airlines first class gets you a lot more than just a nicer seat than economy. Benefits of flying in American Airlines domestic first class include priority airport check-in, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, a better seat, free drinks, snacks on shorter routes, and meals on longer routes.

MORE DETAILS

Customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to their reservation up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled departure. Upgraded Boarding guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position and, when available, can be added to a reservation up to 30 minutes before a flight's scheduled departure.

MORE DETAILS

Does Southwest EarlyBird Check-in guarantee you Zone A boarding? Those assigned Zone A (listed on your boarding pass) are the first group of passengers to board the plane, but EarlyBird DOES NOT guarantee you Zone A boarding.

MORE DETAILS

Better comfort. Not only does waiting to board let you bypass the often stressful and crowded lines (or 'gate lice' as one woman put it), doing so lets you enjoy more legroom, open seating, and less claustrophobia for a few minutes longer in the gate rather than the plane.

MORE DETAILS

If you expect a full flight, try to board earlier – this will improve your chances to get cabin space for your luggage over your designated seat. Having to place your cabin luggage behind your seat or checking it in leads to a significant time loss.

MORE DETAILS

Your seats You can choose a specific seat at any time for a fee. AAdvantage® members can choose complimentary seats based on their status. Otherwise, seats will be automatically assigned for free at check-in. We cannot guarantee that companions on the same ticket will be seated together.

MORE DETAILS