Is boarding Group 2 priority?

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.



Yes, across most major airlines in 2026, Boarding Group 2 is considered Priority Boarding, typically following immediately after "Pre-boarding" (for those with disabilities or families with infants) and "Group 1" (First Class or top-tier Elite members). Group 2 is generally reserved for Business Class passengers, mid-tier elite status holders (like United Premier Gold or Delta Gold Medallion), and often customers who hold an airline-branded premium credit card. In this group, you are guaranteed plenty of overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage, which is a major advantage on crowded flights. While not the "first" on the plane, being in Group 2 means you avoid the "gate lice" crowding and the long queues of the main cabin groups (usually Groups 3 through 9). If you are looking to secure this priority status without having elite miles, purchasing a "Priority Boarding" add-on for $15-$30 or using a co-branded card like the Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold is the most common way for occasional travelers to get into this group.

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All passengers flying in a premium cabin get priority boarding. But the group you'll be assigned to depends on which class of service you're flying. Passengers in the front cabin board with Group 1.

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Spirit has four boarding zones available to passengers: Zone 1: Gold elite members. Zone 2: Silver elite members, those who have purchased shortcut boarding or carry-on bags and co-branded credit card holders. Zone 3: Passengers sitting at the rear of the plane. Zone 4: Passengers sitting at the front of the plane.

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Fly in a premium cabin All passengers flying in a premium cabin get priority boarding. But the group you'll be assigned to depends on which class of service you're flying. Passengers in the front cabin board with Group 1.

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Often, airlines will invite active duty military to board early as well. But, what if they've already called your zone and you missed it? Schoenthal says it's then OK to go up to the front of the line. “But never do so before your boarding group is called,” she says.

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Priority boarding (Groups 1 - 4)
Groups 1 through 4 board through the priority lane, while Groups 5 through 9 board through the main lane.

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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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The Spirit boarding zones Zone 1: Gold elite members. Zone 2: Silver elite members, those who have purchased shortcut boarding or carry-on bags and co-branded credit card holders. Zone 3: Passengers sitting at the rear of the plane. Zone 4: Passengers sitting at the front of the plane.

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Priority Boarding advantages Allows you to board the plane first. No need to queue to collect your cabin baggage after the flight. Quicker transfers to your connecting flight.

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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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Depending on their ages and which airline you have chosen, some airlines invite families to board in front of everybody else, while others allow those with kids to slide in somewhere between elite passengers and regular coach-flying folk.

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Group Air is 10 or more travelers, traveling from a variety of origins and/or destinations. Individual (live sell) reservations are made for each traveler. Group Air groups are established with a specific start date and end date.

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