Which rows are the back half of the plane (for the boarding group cutoff) ?
 

Would like to board as early as poss in a regular coach with no status.
The new process is apparently based on the back half of the plane before the front half.
Wonder which rows mark the boundary, so I can ensure I'm in the back half.
Grateful for any help!

I don't really know the answer to your question but pretty much Alaska doesn't pay much attention to who boards when.

It's going to vary by the plane, as different models have different number of rows. But if you just "ballpark it" - you should be fine, unless you're trying to literally book in the front most row of the back half... at which point then I guess you need to count the rows? The real question is, do first class rows count?

My experience lately is that they have been boarding by groups (A, B, C, D) instead of row numbers; part of this is based on status, part on the type of ticket. Not sure how readily enforced it is.

Boarding order, per AS:
#1 - Pre-Boarding (special assistance, children, active duty)
#2 - First Class
#3 - Group A (Million MIlers, 75K & MVPG)
#4 - Group B (MVP, Premium Economy)
#5 - Group C (Back half of the plane)
#6 - Group D (Front half of the plane)
#7 - Group E (Saver Fares)

The groups lettering is to avoid confusion so you don't have to check multiple values (status, class, row, type, etc) printed in various areas of your ticket.

I'd say, more often than not, it's enforced, particularly in the A phase when I'm boarding I've seen people turned away. It's not difficult however to get your friend or family member to board with you if you politely state you are traveling together.

I don't get why multiple tickets on the on the same booking don't inherit the highest boarding priority in the first place.

Thanks I do understand the groups... I just wondered how to know which rows are considered to be in the "Back Half" aka group C.

Also, I wonder would an award ticket be treated like a saver fare? (I don't think it would)

Although not 100% sure, anything behind 17 (the exit row) should be in the back half of the plane. Those seats can be reserved without elite status at booking if not on a Saver fare. Award tickets will be handled just like other Main Cabin revenue tickets.

I would pick anything 18 or higher for the back half.

James

back of the plane used to be the place to be, well until basic fare was introduced.

And smoking was banned! ;)

James

Your best bet is to book 22 and higher on 737s (essentially behind the wings), as even row 20 can be included in the last group to board.

I seem to recall that anything row 21 and above would be in boarding group C, but that was back in 2017/2018 though so not sure if that's still true.

this is AS. You board whenever you please ;)

On 738's and 739's, row 25 and higher get you safely in Group C.

Thanks everyone, I will get row 25 and see what happens!

no seriously board when ever you want. AS should play IDGAF by Dua Lipa during boarding. I say that with a tiny amount of sarcasm and humor and yet a lot of truth, Nice to actually see someone actually wanitng to follow the boarding procedure