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American Airlines has nine boarding groups. Like any U.S. airline, the boarding process can be long and confusing if you don't know what to expect in an already overstimulating terminal building.
The good news is that understanding how the groups work can help you board earlier and make the experience a little smoother. Let's go over the process and review ways to take advantage of it.
American Airlines Boarding Group Order
From top to bottom, American Airlines boarding groups are designed to prioritize its most valuable customers and encourage others to spend more. With so many groups, there's plenty of room to offer a special place to everyone.
Except, of course, for those who book American Airlines basic economy tickets. They get the privilege of watching everyone else board before cramming into the back of the plane.
So, what's the order of American’s boarding groups? Here's a handy table:
| Boarding Group | Boarding Type |
|---|---|
| Preboard | • ConciergeKey • First/Business • Families with children ages 2 and under |
| Group 1 | • AAdvantage Executive Platinum • Active duty U.S. military with military I.D. |
| Group 2 | • AAdvantage Platinum Pro • Oneworld Emerald |
| Group 3 | • AAdvantage Platinum • Oneworld Sapphire |
| Group 4 | • AAdvantage Gold • Oneworld Ruby • Premium Economy • AirPass℠ (if you still have an active contract; this program ended in November 2022) • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® holders • Travelers who bought Priority boarding |
| Group 5 (Preferred boarding) | • Main Cabin Extra (excluding Basic Economy) • AAdvantage members who earn 15,000 Loyalty Points • Eligible AAdvantage credit cardmembers • AAdvantage Business Select travelers |
| Group 6 | AAdvantage members (on non-basic economy tickets) |
| Group 7 | • Main Cabin • AAdvantage members (on basic economy tickets) |
| Group 8 | Main Cabin |
| Group 9 | Basic economy (non-AAdvantage members) |
When does American Airlines boarding start?
Boarding typically begins 30 to 50 minutes before departure, depending on the aircraft:
- Airbus A319 and A320: 35 minutes before departure
- Boeing 737, Airbus A321, and widebody aircraft: 40 minutes before departure
Regional flights on small jets will board closer to the 30 minute before departure mark while long-haul flights might board closer to 50 minutes before departure.
How the American Airlines Boarding Process Works
Fortunately, there are not nine queues for you to choose from. Instead, the process is streamlined into two queues:
- Priority line: Preboarding passengers and travelers in Groups 1 through 4
- Main lane: Travelers in Groups 5 through 9
Travelers with priority boarding can also use the priority line even if they show up after their group has been called. For example, if a Group 3 passenger reaches the gate when the flight is boarding Group 6, they can still go through the priority line. The gate agent will typically hold the main line and let them through.
How to Get American Airlines Priority Boarding
As noted above, priority boarding includes passengers who preboard or are assigned to Groups 1 through 4. Here are the ways to qualify:
If you're flying in first or business class, you can preboard the aircraft. This applies to both domestic and international flights.
Hold airline elite status
You receive priority boarding if you hold elite status with American Airlines or a Oneworld alliance partner airline.
- ConciergeKey: Preboarding
- AA Executive Platinum: Group 1
- AA Platinum Pro and Oneworld Emerald: Group 2
- AA Platinum and Oneworld Sapphire: Group 3
- AA Gold and Oneworld Ruby: Group 4
Related: How to Get Reciprocal Upgrades on Alaska and American Airlines Flights as an Elite Member
Those with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® receive Group 4 boarding privileges.
Serve on active military duty
Active-duty U.S. military personnel with a valid military ID may board with Group 1.
Purchase priority boarding
You can buy priority boarding, which places you in Group 4. This option can be purchased during check-in or at the gate but isn't available during the booking process.
How to Get Preferred Boarding on American Airlines Flights
American Airlines' preferred boarding refers to Group 5, which boards after Groups 1 through 4. It's easy to confuse preferred boarding with priority boarding, but they're different benefits. Priority boarding includes Groups 1 through 4, while preferred boarding is limited to Group 5.
To receive Group 5 boarding, you must either purchase a Main Cabin Extra seat (on an eligible fare), earn 15,000 Loyalty Points during the qualification year, or hold one of the following American Airlines credit cards:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
With these perks, it's easy to justify the annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months.
- Free checked bags for you and up to 4 companions on domestic itineraries
- Priority boarding to help you win the race for overhead bin space
- A 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at restaurants
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at gas stations
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Join the AAdvantage Program to Board Earlier
Even without preferred or priority boarding, you can receive Group 6 boarding just by signing up for an AAdvantage account. Enrollment is free, and boarding a few groups earlier can sometimes mean the difference between finding overhead bin space and having to gate-check your carry-on.
The rest of Main Cabin boards in Group 7 or 8, while basic economy passengers who don't belong to the AAdvantage program board in Group 9.
Bottom Line
American Airlines uses its boarding groups to reward premium-cabin travelers, elite members, credit cardholders, and other loyal customers. While boarding a few minutes earlier may not seem like a major perk, earlier groups often have easier access to overhead bin space and a less stressful boarding experience.
If you fly American regularly, qualifying for preferred or priority boarding through elite status, a co-branded credit card, or a premium-cabin ticket may be worth considering.
