Passengers with AA must be familiar with the American Airlines boarding groups decided by the airline at the time of boarding the flight when going to fly with this airline. Moreover, the airline has nine boarding groups and the preboarding for some specified passengers. In the blog, you will learn the boarding system and the process to board first to avoid the hassle of switching flights, check-in, and trouble finding extra space.
What are American Airlines Boarding Groups?
American Airlines typically uses a boarding group system to organize the process of boarding passengers onto their flights. The specific details of their boarding groups may vary, and they can occasionally update their policies. The American Airlines group boarding process usually starts with Group 1 and progresses through the higher-numbered groups. Passengers are called to board in their assigned groups, helping to streamline the boarding process and make it more efficient.
How Many Boarding Groups American Airlines?
American Airlines operates under one of nine boarding groups. However, there is an additional group that comes before the other nine groups, It is called PREBOARDING. Which means in total 10 Boarding groups. It is intended for all travelers in need of extra help as well as those traveling with young children under the age of two. Here is a comprehensive guide to the nine groupings, including the following:
The passengers who qualify for each group boarding American Airlines are listed below.
| Boarding Groups | Eligible Travelers |
| ConciergeKey | ConciergeKey Staus Members |
| Group 1 |
|
| Group 2 |
|
| Group 3 |
|
| Group 4 |
|
| Group 5 |
|
| Group 6 | All AAdvantage members |
| Group 7 | General Boarding |
| Group 8 | Passengers with Basic Economy class to/from Europe and South America |
| Group 9 | Passengers with Basic Economy class within the U.S./ the Caribbean/ Central America/ Canada/ and Mexico. |
How Early should passengers reach the airport for American Airlines?
AA suggests all the passengers arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic flights. Besides, you should arrive at the airport three hours early for international flights.
You should also think that you need to check your bags. You can frequently cut your arrival time by 15 to 30 minutes if you do not check your bags. Additionally, you can expedite your arrival if you can rely on services like TSA Pre-Check and CLEAR.
When can I check in for an American Airlines flight?
The online check-in or using the American Airlines mobile application starts 24 hours before the scheduled departure., It should be done up to 45 minutes before the departure (90 minutes for international flights).
So, make sure to check in on time to avoid any last minute hassle.
What Are American Airlines' Priority Boarding?
Group 4 is considered a Priority Boarding on American Airlines. The AA boarding groups of nine have split into two portions: Groups 1 through 4 and Groups 5 through 9. While groups 5 through 9 will have the chance to board through the regular boarding lane, groups 1 through 4 will have priority access to the priority lane.
One perk for groups 1 through 4 is that Group 4 passengers may additionally board the airline if they have a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Frequent flyers can use this card to enjoy the bonus benefits and fly without hassle, as there are multiple bonuses available on this card.
How Are American Airlines Boarding Groups Assigned?
The fare class of the passenger and card entitles them to become a part of a certain group. Similarly, passengers can travel in a variety of American Airlines group boarding based on the fare class and the advantages they have over cards or bonuses. For instance, passengers with basic economy tickets will board via group 9.
For the Further Boarding groups, you can check the above-mentioned table which will help you understand which fare class and status you have, and accordingly, you can board the Flight.
Moreover, the passengers who are looking for priority and seat upgradation must connect with customer service to acquire the services they wish to have. However, you may need to pay additional charges for the services chosen by you, such as the fare difference of the seat upgrade.
How Can I Upgrade American Airlines Boarding Groups?
There are various ways through Which you can Upgrade your American Airlines Boarding Group Pass. here are the ways through which you can easily upgrade.
- Upgrade your Group boarding using the American Airlines Credit Card.
- Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Will provide you with Group 4 Priority Boarding.
- And if you want to upgrade the Boarding, you have the option to pay and get it.
- By the Premium seats, it will automatically upgrade your Boarding.
- AA elite status can help you in boarding first.
- What Is An American Airlines boarding group pass benefits?
- American Airlines' priority boarding pass maximizes the time and minimizes the hassles faced by travelers.
- The boarding pass allows the passengers to acquire the dedicated check-in and security screening lanes.
- And, enables you to save a lot of time at the gate for premium class and AAdvantage Elite passengers.
- It allows you to save your money and get rid of multiple kiosks at the airport.
- Similarly, passengers who do not want to face the difficulties need to get an American Airlines boarding pass and enjoy the amazing benefits.
Boarding process
When and how we board
Most flights start boarding 30 - 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you’re not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. 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.
Special assistance
Traveling with children
Boarding order
| Group | Boarding pass type |
| ConciergeKey® members | ConciergeKey® |
| Group 1 | First Active duty U.S. military with military I.D. AAdvantage Executive Platinum® (Business on a 2-class international plane) |
| Group 2 | AAdvantage Platinum Pro® oneworld® Emerald℠ (Business on a 3-class plane) |
| Group 3 | AAdvantage Platinum® oneworld® Sapphire℠ |
| Group 4 | AAdvantage Gold® oneworld® Ruby℠ AirPass℠ Premium Economy Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardmembers Travelers who bought Priority boarding Eligible corporate travelers** |
| Group 5 (Preferred boarding) | Main Cabin Extra (excluding Basic Economy) AAdvantage® members who earn 15,000 Loyalty Points Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers* |
| Group 6 | AAdvantage® members |
| Group 7- 8 | Main cabin |
| Group 9 | Basic Economy*** |
*Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers (on American Airlines flights) include:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard®
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® American Express® Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Visa Signature
- AAdvantage® AviatorTM Silver Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® AviatorTM Red Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® AviatorTM Business Mastercard®
**You’re an eligible corporate traveler if traveling on company business for an employer with an active American Airlines Corporate Travel Agreement at the time of ticketing and travel. Only tickets booked and paid for via an authorized Agency of Record for the company and with a unique identifier (CART number) are eligible. If you’re eligible for a higher boarding priority based on ticket class or AAdvantage® status, it will be processed.
***Does not apply to AAdvantage® status members, AAdvantage® members who reach 15,000 Loyalty Points during the qualification year or eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers.
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In Conclusion!
The above information will help you to understand the American Airlines boarding groups and you can board the group you wish to travel with. Moreover, the boarding process is quite easy with nine boarding groups. Further, You can directly contact our customer service team to clear any doubts or queries you have. We have a dedicated team who works 24/7 to assist the customers.