American Airlines’ New 9 Group Boarding Process
American Airlines revealed today a new boarding process that will go into effect next month. Starting May 1, American will be updating boarding groups and adding an additional five minutes of boarding time.
American will preboard First and Business customers, along with those who need additional time before beginning to board by group, including families with children ages 2 and under. AAdvantage® status members keep the same group they use today when traveling in Main Cabin.
The changes come on the heels of American’s new boarding technology which launched last fall, aimed at speeding up the process and making sure everyone boards when they are supposed to. If a customer boards before their assigned group is called, the new software will not accept the boarding pass and instead makes an audible sound to alert the gate agent and customer that the group has not yet been called.
American Boarding Groups
| Preboard | ConciergeKey® First/Business Families with children ages 2 and under |
| Group 1 | AAdvantage Executive Platinum® Active duty U.S. military with military I.D. |
| Group 2 | AAdvantage Platinum Pro® oneworld® Emerald℠ |
| Group 3 | AAdvantage Platinum® oneworld® Sapphire℠ |
| Group 4 | AAdvantage Gold® oneworld® Ruby℠ AirPass℠ Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardmembers |
| Group 5 | 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 |
