Who is considered priority boarding?

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.



Priority boarding in 2026 typically encompasses several distinct groups of travelers designed to streamline the boarding process. The first group usually includes passengers requiring special assistance, such as those with disabilities or families traveling with very young children. Following them are premium cabin travelers (First and Business Class) and high-tier members of the airline’s loyalty program (e.g., Diamond, Platinum, or Gold status). Additionally, many airlines grant priority boarding to active-duty military personnel in uniform and holders of specific co-branded airline credit cards. This system allows these passengers to secure overhead bin space and settle in before the general cabin is called, reducing terminal congestion and ensuring that the most frequent or "high-value" customers receive a more seamless start to their journey.

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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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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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Airlines will typically assign the earliest boarding groups to passengers who are the most loyal. Previously, this was dictated by how many miles one flew, but nowadays, it's usually how much one spends on tickets.

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Priority boarding for passengers with disabilities, assistive devices or emotional support animals. Passengers with “status” like Executive Platinum, Gold, Silver, Premier Access, Club, etc. Passengers behind exist rows (some airlines only, like Alaska) Passengers with upgraded seating like “More space” fares.

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purchasing a higher fare class (first class, business class, etc.); having a co-branded credit card with the airline that offers priority boarding as a perk; being a corporate traveler with an eligible travel agreement with the airline, etc.

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Gates close promptly 30 minutes before your departure. At the gate we use a queuing system to board customers. Customers who have requested Special Assistance in advance and are present at the gate will be boarded first.

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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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Priority Boarding is marketed to those passengers who do not have any other elite status or card membership, and it would allow them to board ahead of their assigned group. Passengers who purchase Priority Boarding will be able to board with Group 2.

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Ryanair uses just 2 boarding groups to load its planes. Priority boarding is available for those passengers who have purchased it, and the rest of the passengers will be in the general boarding group. Are Ryanair flights assigned seating? Yes, Ryanair uses assigned seating for all of its flights.

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Customers who have requested Special Assistance in advance and are present at the gate will be boarded first. We then board in the following priority order: Speedy boarding customers. Families with children under 5. All remaining customers.

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Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: This allows you to carry a small personal bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you and a 10kg bag (55x40x20cm) onboard, to be stored in the overhead locker. It also allows you to board the plane first using the Priority Boarding queue at the gate.

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Economy passengers, including those with basic economy fares, can purchase a priority boarding add-on to enter the plane with Group 4. You can't purchase this upgrade during the initial booking process, so you'll need to add it during check-in, online or at the airport.

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Ryanair Priority Boarding costs between £6 and £12. Known as Priority Booking & 2 Cabin Bags, you're also permitted to bring an additional 10kg bag (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) into the cabin for no extra cost. However, be aware that Ryanair Priority Boarding is capped at 95 out of 189 passengers per flight for space reasons.

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Priority boarding – First class is the first group of passengers to get on and off the plane. Instead of waiting in long lines with other travelers, first-class passengers receive priority boarding that allows them to get to their seats faster.

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Boarding positions will be automatically reserved for you and the Passengers on your reservation 36 hours prior to the flight. You and Passengers on your reservation will still need to check in within 24 hours of scheduled departure to retrieve your boarding passes.

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You will not be allowed to board once the doors close. To allow enough time, review our recommended arrival and check-in times before planning your travel day. Customers who need special assistance and families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

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Better comfort. Not only does waiting to board let you bypass the often stressful and crowded lines (or 'gate lice' as one woman put it), doing so lets you enjoy more legroom, open seating, and less claustrophobia for a few minutes longer in the gate rather than the plane.

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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. And we should emphasize before your group, as your priority boarding doesn't out-prioritize many others.

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Speedy Boarding — Board in Group 1 on every easyJet flight you take. Additional Cabin Bag — Bring both an overhead full-sized carry-on and a personal item on board for no extra charge.

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How early should you arrive at the airport? Airlines generally recommend arriving at the airport at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight. There are a few considerations, though, and I usually treat each trip to the airport on a case-by-case basis.

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