{"id":11213,"date":"2026-06-16T16:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T16:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=11213"},"modified":"2026-06-16T16:10:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T16:10:02","slug":"american-airlines-boarding-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/american-aadvantage\/american-airlines-boarding-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"American Airlines Boarding Groups: Order, How the Process Works, and Ways to Get on the Plane Sooner"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

American Airlines Boarding Group Order<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Except, of course, for those who book American Airlines basic economy<\/a> tickets. They get the privilege of watching everyone else board before cramming into the back of the plane.<\/p>\n

So, what's the order of American\u2019s boarding groups? Here's a handy table:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Boarding Group<\/th>Boarding Type<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Preboard<\/td>\u2022 ConciergeKey
\n\u2022 First\/Business
\n\u2022 Families with children ages 2 and under<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 1<\/td>\u2022 AAdvantage Executive Platinum
\n\u2022 Active duty U.S. military with military I.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 2<\/td>\u2022 AAdvantage Platinum Pro
\n\u2022 Oneworld Emerald<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 3<\/td>\u2022 AAdvantage Platinum
\n\u2022 Oneworld Sapphire<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 4<\/td>\u2022 AAdvantage Gold
\n\u2022 Oneworld Ruby
\n\u2022 Premium Economy
\n\u2022 AirPass\u2120 (if you still have an active contract; this program ended in November 2022)
\n\u2022 Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Executive World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup> holders
\n\u2022 Travelers who bought Priority boarding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 5 (Preferred boarding)<\/td>\u2022 Main Cabin Extra (excluding Basic Economy)
\n\u2022 AAdvantage members who earn 15,000 Loyalty Points
\n\u2022 Eligible AAdvantage credit cardmembers
\n\u2022 AAdvantage Business Select travelers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 6<\/td>AAdvantage members (on non-basic economy tickets)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 7<\/td>\u2022 Main Cabin
\n\u2022 AAdvantage members (on basic economy tickets)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 8<\/td>Main Cabin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Group 9<\/td>Basic economy (non-AAdvantage members)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
\"American
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

When does American Airlines boarding start?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Boarding typically begins 30 to 50 minutes before departure, depending on the aircraft:<\/p>\n