Feb 17, 2016, 12:57 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Guide to AA Boarding Priority, Order and Times
including minimum gate arrival time to board
Link to "Boarding Process" page on aa.comincluding minimum gate arrival time to board
See the current charts in Post #1.
CURRENT Boarding process as of Apr 2018
(NOTE: The archived thread discussing the announcement, etc. can be read here: ARCHIVE: AA announces new boarding policy effective 1 March 2017
NOTE: Changes have been implemented 01 March 2017, as tweeted by JonNYC. See American Airlines announces new boarding policy effective 1 March 2017
Link to March 1 boarding process on aa.com.
On March 1, 2017, American Airlines will launch a new, simplified boarding process. In the future, all customers will be assigned a group number (1 through 9) based on their ticket type, elite status level and priority. We will call the group number in our announcements rather than all customer types. The boarding order will be the same, with only minor exceptions. The change is in how we refer to each group on boarding passes and announcements. Our ConciergeKey members will be invited to board prior to general boarding.
*Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers (on American Airlines flights) include:
NOTE: AA recent policy has included "Should you arrive at the gate after Priority customers have been called, you may bypass the General Boarding lines and enjoy the convenience of boarding anytime via your new dedicated boarding lane." (American Airlines policy.)
See Ben Schlappig / Lucky's blog here.
Link to March 1 boarding process on aa.com.
On March 1, 2017, American Airlines will launch a new, simplified boarding process. In the future, all customers will be assigned a group number (1 through 9) based on their ticket type, elite status level and priority. We will call the group number in our announcements rather than all customer types. The boarding order will be the same, with only minor exceptions. The change is in how we refer to each group on boarding passes and announcements. Our ConciergeKey members will be invited to board prior to general boarding.
- Preboard: Pax requiring assistance, ConciergeKey (+ Five Star customers)
- Group 1 - First class or 2 cabin international Business class / Active duty U.S. military with military I.D. link(Business on a 2-class international plane)
- Group 2 - Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald / 3 Cabin Business class
- Group 3 - Platinum Pro / Platinum / oneworld Sapphire
- Group 4 - Gold, oneworld Ruby, Air Pass, Premium Economy, Executive Citi credit card, purchased Priority Boarding
Group 5 (preferred boarding) - Main Cabin Extra (excluding Basic Economy), Eligible corporate travelers**, Other AAdvantage eligible credit cards* - Group 6 - 8 - Coach Groups, Basic Economy on longhaul transoceanic
- Group 9 - Basic Economy within the U.S., Canada, Mexico & Caribbean
*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®
NOTE: AA recent policy has included "Should you arrive at the gate after Priority customers have been called, you may bypass the General Boarding lines and enjoy the convenience of boarding anytime via your new dedicated boarding lane." (American Airlines policy.)
See Ben Schlappig / Lucky's blog here.
Boarding times See chart in first post.
NOTE: AA gate agents seem to often and unpredictably begin boarding earlier than the scheduled times mentioned below.
50 minutes prior to departure From/To the United States and:="4"%Europe
Middle East
Asia
South American destinations: Asuncion, PY; Brasilia, BR; Belo Horizonte, BR; Curitiba, Br; Buenos Aires, AR; Rio de Janeiro, BR; Sao Paulo, BR; Lima, PE; Montevideo, UY; Porto Alegre, BR; Recife, BR; Salvador, BR; Santiago, CL; Sao Paulo Viracop, BR
45 minutes prior to departure - From/To the United States and:="4"%Caribbean
Central America
Hawaii
Mexico
South American destinations: La Paz, BO; Santa Cruz, BO; Maracaibo, VE; Caracas, VE; Bogota, CO; Cali, CO; Medellin, CO; Guayaquil, EC; Quito, EC
35 minutes prior to departure - Domestic on these aircraft types: A321, A321S, A330, B757, B767, B787, B777="4"%Within the 48 contiguous states
Alaska
Canada
30 minutes prior to departure - Domestic on these aircraft types: A319, A320, A321T, E190, S80, B737="4"%Within the 48 contiguous states
Alaska
Canada
50 minutes prior to departure From/To the United States and:="4"%Europe
Middle East
Asia
South American destinations: Asuncion, PY; Brasilia, BR; Belo Horizonte, BR; Curitiba, Br; Buenos Aires, AR; Rio de Janeiro, BR; Sao Paulo, BR; Lima, PE; Montevideo, UY; Porto Alegre, BR; Recife, BR; Salvador, BR; Santiago, CL; Sao Paulo Viracop, BR
45 minutes prior to departure - From/To the United States and:="4"%Caribbean
Central America
Hawaii
Mexico
South American destinations: La Paz, BO; Santa Cruz, BO; Maracaibo, VE; Caracas, VE; Bogota, CO; Cali, CO; Medellin, CO; Guayaquil, EC; Quito, EC
35 minutes prior to departure - Domestic on these aircraft types: A321, A321S, A330, B757, B767, B787, B777="4"%Within the 48 contiguous states
Alaska
Canada
30 minutes prior to departure - Domestic on these aircraft types: A319, A320, A321T, E190, S80, B737="4"%Within the 48 contiguous states
Alaska
Canada
Conditions of Carriage (Link
"Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -within- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -outside- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda"
For gate arrival, AA states: "Recommended before your flight: Link
30 minutes
Be at the gate, ready to board. Doors close 10 minutes before departure – once they close you'll be denied boarding."
"Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -within- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -outside- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda"
For gate arrival, AA states: "Recommended before your flight: Link
30 minutes
Be at the gate, ready to board. Doors close 10 minutes before departure – once they close you'll be denied boarding."
GUIDE: AA Boarding Priority, Order and Related Issues (as of 2018)
Mar 19, 2017, 11:08 am
#122
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 743
Flew out of DFW Thursday. GA made a nice announcement about the change. They then proceeded to board groups in order. I was Group 3. The lady standing next to me near the priority board was Group 4. I saw her boarding pass. She proceeded to board with Group 1. Neither the scanner or the GA stopped her. #systemfail
Yes, I waited for Group 3 and boarded then. I'm a rules follower.
Yes, I waited for Group 3 and boarded then. I'm a rules follower.
Mar 19, 2017, 8:00 pm
#123
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
Flew out of DFW Thursday. GA made a nice announcement about the change. They then proceeded to board groups in order. I was Group 3. The lady standing next to me near the priority board was Group 4. I saw her boarding pass. She proceeded to board with Group 1. Neither the scanner or the GA stopped her. #systemfail
And for families/groups traveling on the same PNR where there are people of different status levels, they could/should simply give the group number for the person with highest status.
Mar 19, 2017, 8:08 pm
#124
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
Southwest, which I am fling a lot recently, seems to do it well with the masses lining up by group and number
Since I have not yet got the hang of checking in at T-24 reliably, I am always at C-30 or so and am amazed by the fast boarding AND by the fact that I can usually get a seat up front (although in the middle) boarding at the tail end of the mob.
Since I have not yet got the hang of checking in at T-24 reliably, I am always at C-30 or so and am amazed by the fast boarding AND by the fact that I can usually get a seat up front (although in the middle) boarding at the tail end of the mob.
Mar 19, 2017, 8:08 pm
#125
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Mar 20, 2017, 7:01 am
#126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
With 9 flights done with the new boarding priority, my general impression is that it's working better than the previous system. Of course there is always someone trying to bypass those in front, but I've seen/heard diplomatic GAs say "Madam/Sir, you are in group 6, we're boarding group 2 now, can you please step aside and wait for your turn".
Mar 20, 2017, 8:46 am
#127
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,036
One wonders why the scanners aren't programmed to reject groups that are not yet called. It think some GAs are afraid to confront a passenger who is boarding early; having the scanner reject their boarding would make it easier for them since it would be out of their hands and they could blame the computer.
And for families/groups traveling on the same PNR where there are people of different status levels, they could/should simply give the group number for the person with highest status.
And for families/groups traveling on the same PNR where there are people of different status levels, they could/should simply give the group number for the person with highest status.
Mar 20, 2017, 9:30 am
#128
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
I think the reason the system isn't programmed to reject early boarders is to give the GAs flexibility in allowing families/groups with different group numbers the ability to board at the same time. Imagine mom is an EXP, while dad and toddler have no status and are on a separate PNR. You can bet that mom is going to want dad and toddler to board with her, and that's a reasonable request, so the system needs to allow some leeway.
The scanner could easily give a different, slightly-annoying-sounding beep for someone boarding out of order. Maybe require the GA to enter a keystroke to acknowledge that this person is OK to board out of order for whatever reason or maybe just do nothing differently except for the audio notification.
Mar 20, 2017, 9:56 am
#129
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,431
I certainly agree that the computer shouldn't overrule the GA's discretion and completely refuse to allow someone to board out of order.
The scanner could easily give a different, slightly-annoying-sounding beep for someone boarding out of order. Maybe require the GA to enter a keystroke to acknowledge that this person is OK to board out of order for whatever reason or maybe just do nothing differently except for the audio notification.
The scanner could easily give a different, slightly-annoying-sounding beep for someone boarding out of order. Maybe require the GA to enter a keystroke to acknowledge that this person is OK to board out of order for whatever reason or maybe just do nothing differently except for the audio notification.
Mar 20, 2017, 10:03 am
#130
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
With 9 flights done with the new boarding priority, my general impression is that it's working better than the previous system. Of course there is always someone trying to bypass those in front, but I've seen/heard diplomatic GAs say "Madam/Sir, you are in group 6, we're boarding group 2 now, can you please step aside and wait for your turn".
Mar 22, 2017, 9:57 pm
#131
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
And, on WN, other passengers assist in enforcing boarding order. A majority of the time, the enforcement starts with, "which number are you?" so passengers can get into the correct order.
Mar 27, 2017, 11:44 am
#132
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Boarded CUN-DFW and have to say I'm impressed with the GA enforcing boarding groups. 4 people, 2 pairs tried to board as group 1 while being group 4 or something, quickly got shut down.
Mar 27, 2017, 12:20 pm
#133
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago, London
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 31
On Friday 3/24 at ORD, boarding AA300 to LAS. I am in business with group 1 printed on. They call group 1 and I head toward the priority lane. Overhear two group 2 Exec Plats talking about how they hate the new system and they shouldn't be in group 2 and line up behind me and ahead of others in Group 1 (giving them the benefit of the doubt that they don't know that they are still boarding directly behind business, but I digress). GA does not enforce the boarding and lets them on.
Saw something similar on the return. AA boarded early, so arriving to the gate at T-36, despite being group 1, they were boarding group 3 already and people in front of me in line were group 4. GA let them on rather than enforcing the rules.
Saw something similar on the return. AA boarded early, so arriving to the gate at T-36, despite being group 1, they were boarding group 3 already and people in front of me in line were group 4. GA let them on rather than enforcing the rules.
Mar 27, 2017, 12:47 pm
#134
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: LAS
Programs: PA FT, TW Gold, NW/CO PE, VK Eagleflyer
Posts: 7,173
Thus far no GA has objected, and I'll note that at the stations that I've seen, "Priority" is Groups 1-4, so it's a bit of a mixed salad in any event.
Apr 1, 2017, 6:38 pm
#135
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: New York, New York
Programs: BA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 97
No First Class Boarding Group?
I was looking at a chart of boarding groups and I'm going to be on a flight on AA with no First Class. I'm sitting in a preferred seat and I'm Gold. What would my boarding group be?