Who gets priority boarding on planes?

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.



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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.

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In theory, if you identify as someone who needs additional time or assistance to get into your seat, the airline should not have any say on whether or not your claim is valid. You can request preboarding at the gate. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

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Preboarding is reserved mainly for travelers needing special assistance and passengers with a child under age 2.

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Don't hesitate to ask for accommodations.
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.

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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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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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Group 3 includes passengers in window seats. Group 4 includes passengers in middle seats. Group 5 includes passengers in aisle seats and all Basic Economy passengers.

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You're more likely to be caught if you try to board with the first group or two. Unless the gate agent is a real jerk, or you are, the worst that can happen is that you'll be told to wait for your own group.

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A-List positions are automatically assigned beginning 36 hours prior to departure. If an A-Lister receives a position in the B or C group (happens when a flight change is made less than 36 hours before departure) they can board after the A group.

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The price of priority boarding
While the cost of priority boarding will differ among airlines and flights, you'll typically pay between $10-$30 to board the plane before your group.

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The Business class experience
You can expect special treatment, luxury, extra privacy, and enhanced flight entertainment in addition to faster check-in and priority boarding.

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Etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts told Newsweek that it's common courtesy to exit in order of row, front to back, with the exception of when you may miss your connecting flight. In this case, you should ask the flight attendant to make an announcement so everyone stays seated until you exit.

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You request it at either the ticket counter or with the customer service agent at the gate. Just let them know you would like to request preboarding due to a disability that requires a specific seat. They aren't supposed to ask what your disability is.

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Delta, Southwest, and United all allow this extra support. JetBlue may be a low-budget carrier, but they have a program that allows for silent boarding, so passengers with disabilities can settle in and get used to their surroundings before the other passengers' board.

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A person with a disability may have a physical or mental impairment that impacts a major life activity - such as walking, hearing, or breathing. This may be on a permanent or temporary basis. For example, a person with a temporary disability may have a broken leg that is temporarily fused or immobilized.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder An individual with ongoing ADHD will not (by definition) be able to complete pilot training. Medication used for this disorder is normally disqualifying.

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Buy a priority boarding pass or premium access
  1. American Airlines. A priority boarding pass starts at $9 and comes with access to priority lines at check-in. ...
  2. Delta. A priority boarding pass costs $15. ...
  3. Southwest. An “EarlyBird Check-In” pass costs between $15 and $25. ...
  4. United.


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