Have you ever ever been one of many final passengers to board an airplane? It’s a grim scenario; everyone seems to be seated and staring as you stroll up and down the aisle, in search of even a sliver of overhead bin area.
For those who’re flying American Airways, you’ll be able to keep away from that awkwardness with an understanding as to how the boarding course of works. Let’s have a look at which passengers board when—and how one can fairly effortlessly enhance your home in line.
American Airways Boarding Teams
Formally, American Airways has 10 boarding teams. Right here’s a fast have a look at the boarding course of because it stands on the time of publication (word that this may change anytime on the airline’s discretion).
| Boarding group | Eligible vacationers |
| ConciergeKey | ConciergeKey standing members |
| Group 1 | Energetic responsibility U.S. navy (with navy ID) First-class tickets Enterprise class tickets on a two-class worldwide flight AAdvantage Govt Platinum standing |
| Group 2 | Enterprise class tickets on a three-class flight AAdvantage Platinum Professional standing Oneworld Emerald standing |
| Group 3 | AAdvantage Platinum standing Oneworld Sapphire standing |
| Group 4 (Precedence boarding) | Premium Economic system tickets Vacationers who buy Precedence boarding AAdvantage Gold standing Oneworld Ruby standing AirPass Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt cardmembers Eligible company vacationers |
| Group 5 (Most well-liked boarding) | Primary Cabin Additional (excluding Primary Economic system) AAdvantage members who’ve earned 15,000 Loyalty Factors Eligible AAdvantage credit score cardmembers |
| Group 6 | Members of American Airways AAdvantage |
| Group 7 | Primary cabin |
| Group 8 | Primary cabin |
| Group 9 | Primary Economic system |
You’ll discover that American Airways lets its ConciergeKey members (an invite-only elite standing for American Airways’s greatest spenders) board the aircraft earlier than anybody else. That stated, even first-class flyers might not be the primary to board, as American Airways invitations these needing particular help and households with youngsters beneath two years previous to preboard. After that, there are 9 official boarding teams.
How are American Airways boarding teams decided?
Many American Airways flyers meet the standards for a couple of boarding group. For instance, it’s possible you’ll e book a Primary Cabin Additional ticket (Group 5) but in addition maintain the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (Group 4). On this case, you’ll all the time board within the earliest group you qualify for.
This is a crucial element, notably in the case of reserving the most affordable attainable fare—Primary Economic system. This fare class calls for that you simply enter the aircraft lifeless final. As well as, you’ll be charged if you happen to deliver alongside a carry-on bag (you’re solely allowed a private merchandise). That’s a disgrace as a result of Primary Economic system tickets can value over $50 lower than a daily Primary Cabin seat.
However get this: Holding an eligible American Airways bank card confers most well-liked boarding, which is Group 5. Even if you happen to purchase a Primary Economic system ticket, you’ll get to board in Group 5 earlier than most different passengers—and also you’ll even get to deliver a carry-on free of charge.
What’s the distinction between most well-liked boarding and precedence boarding?
“Preferred” boarding and “priority” boarding sound just about indiscernible to most vacationers. However they’re not the identical factor. Whereas ready to board, you’ll see an indication indicating that these are two separate boarding lanes.
Teams 1 by 4 (in addition to ConciergeKey) are thought of Precedence boarding. These are usually people with American Airways elite standing, these with Premium Economic system or above, and sure company vacationers. Group 5 is taken into account Most well-liked boarding. That is for holders of sure American Airways bank cards, Primary Cabin Additional passengers, and members who’ve earned not less than 15,000 Loyalty Factors.
Whereas the Most well-liked boarding group can actually be an efficient technique to get on the aircraft first and safe overhead bin area, journey author Sarah Hostetler says it’s not all the time as useful as you’d suppose. “AA gate agents have a nasty habit of lumping in Preferred boarding group 5 with the Main Cabin. I find that they’ll frequently welcome groups 5 and 6 in the same breath.” Sarah recommends that you simply begin making your means towards the road effectively prematurely. “Have your belongings gathered and be poised and ready to jump in line well before you anticipate Group 5 to be announced.”
Find out how to improve your American Airways boarding group
There are numerous methods to improve your boarding group, as indicated by the above chart. Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at precisely find out how to go about it.
Maintain an eligible American Airways bank card
The best technique to instantly enhance your boarding group is to carry a qualifying American Airways bank card. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® gives you Group 4 Precedence boarding. And the next playing cards gives you Group 5 Most well-liked boarding:
A couple of different bank cards include this profit, as effectively, however they might not be obtainable to new candidates.
Pay for it
For those who really need it, you’ll be able to pay for Group 4 Precedence boarding. The precise worth is dependent upon the route, however information factors counsel you’ll pay as much as $74. The benefit of that is possible not definitely worth the cash over boarding with Group 5, which you’ll mechanically obtain from holding an American Airways bank card, such because the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose—which incurs a $99 annual charge (waived the primary yr).
Sarah factors out that an early boarding group can typically be a detriment. “This is totally anecdotal, but there is actually a time not to use your early boarding privileges,” she says. “I’ve been one of the first in line to pass through the gate only to board a bus that drops passengers off at the plane. As you can imagine, the first on the bus is the last on the plane!”
Fly in a premium seat
The kind of seat you fly can dictate how early you get on the aircraft. For instance, Flying in a premium cabin will get you Group 2 Precedence boarding at worst. Premium Economic system will place you in Group 4. And if you happen to’re flying Primary Cabin Additional, you’ll obtain Group 5 Most well-liked boarding.
You’ll get the identical boarding group if you happen to e book with money or with American Airways miles.
Earn elite standing
American Airways AAdvantage elite standing and elite standing with Oneworld (the airline alliance with which American Airways is a member) may assist you board the aircraft sooner. You’ll be able to earn AAdvantage standing by incomes “Loyalty Points.” You’ll be able to earn these by touring on American Airways and its accomplice airways, with American Airways bank card spending, and thru numerous AAdvantage spending portals (on-line purchasing, eating, and extra).
Gold standing, American Airways’s lowest elite tier, requires 40,000 Loyalty Factors to attain and gives you Group 4 boarding, irrespective of which fare class you purchase. American’s highest elite tier is Govt Platinum and requires 200,000 Loyalty Factors. This stage will put you in Group 1 for all flights.
The takeaway
American Airways has ten official boarding teams. By reserving a premium seat, buying Precedence boarding, or just holding an eligible American Airways bank card, you’ll be able to catapult your self almost to the entrance of the road—guaranteeing you loads of overhead bin area.
