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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.
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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I've spent extensive time delving into the intricacies of airline boarding processes, so let's break down the concepts presented in this article.
Boarding Times and Process: The boarding window generally spans from 30 to 50 minutes before the scheduled departure, but this can vary based on factors such as the destination and aircraft. Boarding concludes 15 minutes prior to departure, and if passengers fail to board by this time, their seats might be reassigned. Once the doors close, boarding is no longer allowed.
Check-in and Arrival: Understanding the recommended arrival and check-in times is crucial for ensuring a smooth travel day. Specific guidelines are provided for customers requiring special assistance or families with children under 2 years old who can request early boarding at the gate.
Boarding Order and Groups: The boarding sequence is organized into groups, prioritizing various categories of travelers based on factors like membership status, ticket type, and special affiliations. These groups, numbered 1 through 9, determine when passengers board the aircraft.
- Group 1-4: Includes elite members, premium passengers, military personnel, and certain credit cardholders.
- Group 5: Preferred boarding for specific passengers, such as those with Main Cabin Extra tickets or AAdvantage® members who've earned 15,000 Loyalty Points.
- Group 6-8: Main cabin boarding.
- Group 9: Specifically for Basic Economy passengers.
Eligibility Criteria for Priority Boarding: This section outlines the eligible credit cards and corporate travel criteria that grant priority boarding privileges. It includes a list of specific credit cards and the conditions for corporate travelers to access higher boarding priorities.
This comprehensive breakdown provides insights into the nuanced boarding process of American Airlines, demonstrating the complexity and careful consideration given to various passenger categories and their boarding sequence.
