A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding for everyone booked on the same reservation as boarding positions get assigned to elite Rapid Rewards members 36 hours before departure — so you don't have to purchase EarlyBird Check-In separately.

Excellent question! “List priority boarding” is a common airline industry term, and it essentially means boarding the aircraft in a specific order based on a pre-determined list or set of criteria, rather than boarding all at once or by seat number.

It’s a system designed to make the boarding process more efficient, organized, and less chaotic. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

The Core Idea

Instead of a single “boarding now” call, the gate agent announces boarding in several groups or zones (e.g., Group 1, Group 2, Priority Boarding, etc.). Your ticket or boarding pass will indicate which group you are in.

Who Gets on the List? (The Typical Priority Order)

While the exact names and number of groups vary by airline, the hierarchy is generally consistent:

1. First & Business Class Passengers: Highest priority.
2. Elite Status Frequent Fliers: Airlines reward their most loyal customers (e.g., Delta SkyMiles Diamond, United Premier 1K, American Executive Platinum) with early boarding.
3. Premium Economy Passengers: A step above standard economy.
4. Co-branded Credit Card Holders & Military: Many airlines offer priority boarding as a perk for holding their branded credit cards. Active military personnel are often invited to board early as a courtesy.
5. Passengers Needing Extra Time/Assistance: This includes travelers with disabilities, families with young children, or sometimes elderly passengers.
6. Standard Economy (by Zone/Group): The majority of passengers board in groups, usually starting from the back of the plane to the front, or by window, middle, then aisle seats, depending on