Groups one through four are passengers seated in first or business classes, with frequent flier status, or in the military. Group five begins with “Main Cabin Extra” and then continues to group eight for the main cabin. These groups to board are organized by zone on the airplane.

Group 8 is a boarding designation used by several major airlines, most notably American Airlines, to organize the flow of passengers onto the aircraft. In 2026, Group 8 typically consists of Main Cabin passengers who do not have elite status, do not hold a co-branded credit card, and are not traveling in a premium class. This group is usually among the last to board, often just before Group 9 (which is reserved for Basic Economy). Because Group 8 boards late in the process, overhead bin space is frequently exhausted by the time they reach their seats, often necessitating that they gate-check their larger carry-on bags. Southwest Airlines also uses a "Group" system, but their Group 8 specifically refers to a unique boarding number within a larger lettered block (A, B, or C). In all cases, being in Group 8 means you will likely spend more time in the gate area and should be prepared for a crowded cabin environment upon entry.