Groups 1 through 4 board through the priority lane, while Groups 5 through 9 board through the main lane.
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Elite 20K, 50K, and 100K members all get priority (also known as Zone 1) boarding. But it's not just elite members who get to board earlier; if you paid a carry-on bag fee, you may get access to Zone 1 boarding, too.
Boarding Groups: Groups 1 through 9. Group 1 is first and/or business class and active-duty military; 2 through 4 reflect frequent flier status; 5 is for tickets purchased with extra legroom; 9 is for the lowest price “Basic Economy” where seats cannot be selected more than 48 hours in advance.
Executive Platinum members can board in Group 1, while Platinum Pro (and Oneworld Emerald) members may board in Group 2. Mid-tier elites (American Airlines Platinum and Oneworld Sapphire) get at least Group 3. And the lowest-tier elites (American Airlines Gold and Oneworld Ruby) are assigned to Group 4.
Priority lanes for check-in, security and boardingThis is the same line that first class and Delta One passengers use, and it can be a real timesaver if you are in a hurry. At many airports, there are dedicated security lanes for Sky Priority passengers. This can help travelers avoid long lines at crowded terminals.
The earlier you check in, the better boarding position you'll get, and the higher chance you'll have to store a bag in the overhead bin. Typically, window and aisle seats get taken first, which is why having an early boarding position is conducive to avoiding the dreaded middle seat.
Priority boarding is available to passengers with elite status, customers who have purchased select tickets, customers traveling on an international flight, customers traveling with a small child, and customers who are part of the United Airlines Group Boarding program.
To keep flights orderly and boarding smooth, airlines calculate that it makes sense for small children to board early with a parent and get settled before the anxious masses wanting an on-time or early departure.
Hold AAdvantage, Oneworld or JetBlue elite statusNo 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.
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.
Early boarding helps him stay calm, he explains, because standing in line in the jet bridge is intensely stressful for him. It's a simple request: He just asks for priority boarding at check-in, and “80 percent of the time,” he says, the airline is happy to grant his request.
What is priority boarding? It is a service that can be added to your booking, allowing you to be among the first to board and guaranteeing that your hand luggage will travel with you in the cabin (remember that your hand luggage must meet the requirements).
You will be assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and position (1-60+) upon check in. Your unique group and position combination (for example: A35) will be displayed on your boarding pass and represents a reserved spot in the boarding group at the gate.
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.
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.