A couple of weeks ago, American Airlines announced plans to modify its boarding process, and the changes have been implemented as of today. These changes follow the Forth Worth-based carrier recently starting to actually enforce boarding priority, thanks to some simple new technology.
In this post:
How American has updated its boarding priority
American has modified its boarding priority as of today (May 1, 2025), in a move that the airline describes as being focused on making the boarding process simpler and more straightforward. With these changes, American still has pre-boarding and nine boarding groups, but who is included in each group has changed, as follows:
- Pre-board is available to Concierge Key members, first and business class passengers, and families with children under two years old
- Group 1 includes Executive Platinum members and active duty US military with ID
- Group 2 includes AAdvantage Platinum Pro and oneworld Emerald members
- Group 3 includes AAdvantage Platinum and oneworld Sapphire members
- Group 4 includes AAdvantage Gold and oneworld Ruby members, premium economy passengers, and Citi AAdvantage Executive Card members
- Group 5 includes Main Cabin Extra (excluding basic economy), AAdvantage members who earn 15,000 Loyalty Points, and eligible AAdvantage credit card members
- Group 6 includes all other AAdvantage members
- Group 7-8 includes other (non-basic) economy passengers
- Group 9 includes basic economy passengers
There are a couple changes here that are most significant, if you ask me:
- Executive Platinum members and active duty military are no longer able to board with first or business class passengers, but rather are called up afterwards, in a separate group
- First and business class passengers are able to pre-board with Concierge Key members; I’m curious if anyone has any firsthand reports of whether pre-boarding is broken down into chunks or not, or whether Concierge Key members, first class, and business class passengers, all get called at once
American starts boarding five minutes earlier
In addition to changing up boarding groups, as of May 1, 2025, American has started boarding domestic, narrow body mainline aircraft five minutes earlier than before. This means that on Airbus A319s and A320s, boarding now starts 35 minutes in advance, while on Boeing 737s and Airbus A321s, boarding now starts 40 minutes in advance.
Why is American starting boarding earlier? As the airline describes it, this is supposed to allow for a better paced boarding process and better management of overhead bin space.
The airline suggests that this will lead to fewer carry-on bags needing to be gate checked, customers having more time to get settled and find their seats, and “those in the premium cabin will experience the personalized service that they know and expect.” I’m skeptical of two of those claims, but I guess we’ll see, eh?
My take on American’s boarding process changes
In general, the boarding process on US airlines is laughably complicated. That’s because boarding isn’t about getting everyone on the plane as quickly and efficiently as possible, but instead, it’s about coddling elites and selling ancillary services.
Airlines want to make money from allowing people to board early, whether that comes in the form of customers pursuing elite status, picking up a co-branded credit card, or outright paying for priority boarding.
With that in mind, I have a few thoughts on these changes:
- I’m not really happy to see boarding start five minutes earlier, especially without American increasing its minimum connection time for its hubs; you don’t want to arrive late in the boarding process, when there might not be overhead bin space anymore
- I actually appreciate American boarding first and business class before all elite tiers with published requirements, as that’s quite a contrast to United, where Premier 1K members board before first and business class
- It’s not clear to me whether Concierge Key members are still invited to pre-board before first and business class, or if everyone is called up at once, because I’m sure some Concierge Key members wouldn’t be happy to lose their special call
- It’s annoying how airlines both have a ton of boarding groups, and also have pre-boarding before that; like, why not make first and business class boarding part of a boarding group, rather than a non-boarding group?
Bottom line
As of May 1, 2025, American has updated its boarding process. The airline now starts boarding domestic narrow body aircraft five minutes earlier, meaning that boarding starts 35-40 minutes before departure.
Beyond that, American has updated the order in which it boards people. First and business class passengers have been “upgraded,” while Executive Platinum members and active duty military have been “downgraded” (and maybe Concierge Key, assuming they’re not pre-boarded ahead of first and business class).
What do you make of American’s boarding priority updates?
For me, the less time that I sit in the plane the better. I prefer to board last as long as I have an assigned seat.
At some gates, especially when it's busy, the overhead boarding announcements sound like a drive-thru fast food restaurant speaker during a thunderstorm.
Can't count the number of times a fellow passenger asked, "What did they just say?"
LARGE monitors displaying LARGE numbers could help.
Boarded JFK-GRU four hours ago. I didn't hear any mention of group numbers, but they repeated multiple times that "We are only boarding business class at the moment". Plenty of gate lice to push to the side, but otherwise for me the experience was good, maybe even better than before.
Just boarded DCA-LAX. Concierge Key was the first group than first class then group 1, etc. There was a lot of chatter at the gate with the EXPs in coach. It did make for a better boarding experience - compared to what it was previously but one EXP member in the gate area said “what’s the point of being EXP if you can’t get on as the same time as FC”.
Data Point. 7am flight from LAS to LAX. Called ConciergeKey members first. Followed by first class and those needing more time and those with children under the age of two. There was a distinct pause between each group and subgroup. In fact, it almost seemed like they were waiting for everyone in first class to board the plane before calling those needing more time and those with children.
Next up were group 1. Then...
Data Point. 7am flight from LAS to LAX. Called ConciergeKey members first. Followed by first class and those needing more time and those with children under the age of two. There was a distinct pause between each group and subgroup. In fact, it almost seemed like they were waiting for everyone in first class to board the plane before calling those needing more time and those with children.
Next up were group 1. Then after group 1 they called military who did not have group 1 on their boarding passes, but had military ID with them. Again a distinct pause between groups and subgroups before calling group 2.
I boarded with group 2 so I don't know how it went after that. I am not sure if the boarding process went any quicker although we did pull out of the gate about 3 minutes early.
The new process seemed to be more pleasant in the sorting pen. Usually everyone and their brother answers the call of group 1 and it results in chaos. One humungous herd trying to get through the mass of gate lice. The smaller groups and distinct pauses between calling made it easier to navigate the lice and cut down on congestion. It was a positive in my book.
I am CK & just boarded in Philadelphia. They didn’t call at all for CK to preboard. It was a big group all trying to get on at the same time. Not ideal….
This. Since when is boarding process standardized on any airline? On DL out of LGA, it's always a scrum. On UA out of ORD, it's orderly hub-to-hub maybe 60% of the time. All depends on the gate agents.
Unfortunately another casualty of cheap air fares, the monetizing of the boarding process. I remember boarding back in the 1990s. This would have seem totally bizarre. But people want cheap fares and they think Spirit/Frontier a great asset to the industry so here you go.
"annoying how airlines both have a ton of boarding groups"
It's not just annoying, it's a farce. I mean, is there *any place other than the airport* where the majority of people willingly pay a company to explicitly make them feel like 2nd (or 3rd 5th, 6th, 9th...) class citizens?
That is one reason why I enjoy flying Southwest. Well, I used to, anyway.
Yep, for all the complaints about Southwest using a "cattle call" boarding system, is this crap any better? You just have a different tag on your ear and it takes longer to boot. I'd rather get on and get going in the minimal amount of time a-la Southwest or Japanese carriers, than sit there and fluff every passenger north of Zone 5.
Just boarded one. They called Pre Board while the sign was not yet finished with the time till boarding countdown. Just took one person in wheelchair. Then called Concierge Key. Then called Group 1 and active duty military but the board flipped to displaying Boarding First Class. My non-first class Group 1 pass scanned without issue. They made no announcements of a process change but the agent said her system was new this AM and...
Just boarded one. They called Pre Board while the sign was not yet finished with the time till boarding countdown. Just took one person in wheelchair. Then called Concierge Key. Then called Group 1 and active duty military but the board flipped to displaying Boarding First Class. My non-first class Group 1 pass scanned without issue. They made no announcements of a process change but the agent said her system was new this AM and was having some issues with it. So it seems there will still be pre-boarding groups for ‘need more time’ pre boarders and Concierge Key before the first formal ‘on the board’ group of First Class.
This is not too bad, AFAIK Vietnam Airlines start boarding 50 minutes before and they typically need every one of those minutes.
This has gotten out of control. In other countries, basic economy boards Group 4 or 5. Here they have 5 extra levels of nonsense designations to active military and credit card holders.
What about people who need pre-board assistance?
How often does American have a plane on the gate, ready to board, 40 minutes prior to departure? At DFW, especially on afternoon flights, it’s not that often. In fact, 40 minutes before departure they are likely to be still changing gates.
None of these groups mean anything if you want to fake an injury, disability, etc. I saw about 4 people with “a need” to board early each with 6-8 people with them. So 24 people easily playing the system. I know I sound judgey, but this was in BCN, where you need to do stairs to board the plane. MAGICALLY 3 out of the 4 were able to do 2 flights of steps down to the transport bus. It’s a miracle!!!
For EP like me probably not a big deal. If you're not flying first or business you still get to board before the rest of coach so overhead bin space should not be an issue. That's the real issue with boarding groups- overhead bins. If it wasn't for that I'd rather board last and spend less time on the aircraft lol. The main benefits to status are early boarding, free maim cabin extra seats and the increasingly less common uograde.
Theree was a time and there were airlines when First Class passengers were asked to board LAST so as to minimize the time they had to spend on board, but this went away with overhead racks not having doors and being exclusively reserved for coats and hats.
Not happy about an even-earlier boarding time- seems unnecessary for narrowbody aircraft.
As others have said, way too man EPs now in the loyalty points era. But this pre-board concept is going to be a mess on wide body flights. Should have been:
Pre-Board: Same as before
Group 1: First/Business
Group 2: EP/PP (OWE)
etc.
So on some premium heavy machines, "Pre-boarding" will be 70+ passengers ? Ridiculous. It might have been simpler for AA to choose the boarding order, THEN implement it by calling the first group to board "Group 1".
By definition, "PRE-boarding" should only include a SMALL number of people, i.e wheelchairs, passengers with infants, and yes, maybe Concierge Key.
When "Group 1" is notnthe first group to board, Things derive straight from the same concept...
So on some premium heavy machines, "Pre-boarding" will be 70+ passengers ? Ridiculous. It might have been simpler for AA to choose the boarding order, THEN implement it by calling the first group to board "Group 1".
By definition, "PRE-boarding" should only include a SMALL number of people, i.e wheelchairs, passengers with infants, and yes, maybe Concierge Key.
When "Group 1" is notnthe first group to board, Things derive straight from the same concept as "idiots" being renamed "intellectually challenged".
AA gate attendants will probably call up Group 1 before all Pre-Board passengers are actually in line (and so on).
Picturing some EPs getting “beep shamed” when slipping into the mix with the big preboard group.
Larry David could shoot such a seen.
Monday's AA flights had smooth, quick boarding. The *beep kept people from cutting in front of other groups. Alaska should follow American's lead. I am Alaska 100K and think AS has worse gate congestion than AA, UA, or DL.
2 groups: group 1 for people who turn left from the door, group 2 for people who turn right. If there is only one turn, just 1 group. Voila. Enough with those groups this is getting insane or it will become like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhxlZC8BZJ4
I fly United hub-to-hub between Denver and San Francisco once a month which is not enough for 1K. I usually fly in paid First class and often can not find overhead bin space because it seems 25% of the plane has boarded before me and just puts their bags in the front on their way towards the back during boarding. I appreciate that they want to reward their frequent flyers, but not at the expense...
I fly United hub-to-hub between Denver and San Francisco once a month which is not enough for 1K. I usually fly in paid First class and often can not find overhead bin space because it seems 25% of the plane has boarded before me and just puts their bags in the front on their way towards the back during boarding. I appreciate that they want to reward their frequent flyers, but not at the expense of a paid F ticket. Or at least put those “reserved for first class passengers” stickers on the bins like Delta does.
This!
The signs are nice as far as they go, but only if the FAs enforce them. I've seen the 'reserved for' signs in the last few days on at least one American flight (of several in long haul international, domestic mainline and regional, didn't notice on the others), so that's something, but I think it's fair to allow paid first/business to board first, but you need still need the signs and enforcement so...
This!
The signs are nice as far as they go, but only if the FAs enforce them. I've seen the 'reserved for' signs in the last few days on at least one American flight (of several in long haul international, domestic mainline and regional, didn't notice on the others), so that's something, but I think it's fair to allow paid first/business to board first, but you need still need the signs and enforcement so a late arriving first passenger isn't left without overhead space.
As a non-US OW emerald, I'm a bit unhappy with dropping down the priority list, but I'm still on a par with AA emerald who are Platinum Pro so I can live with that, and what seems to be the recent stronger enforcement of the rules is good to see.
If you're not reaching 1K then by definition those 1Ks are providing more revenue than you on average, paid F ticket notwithstanding.
I do agree that first class overhead space should be more carefully monitored by FAs though.
On my AA flights this year I have been in domestic F 9/10 times. I have seen the signs in the overheads stating that the overheads are for F pax. I have also seen some economy pax putting their bags in F overheads and the FAs doing nothing about it.
Meanwhile in Tokyo JAL manages to board a mostly full 787 in less than 20 minutes.
Japan is a civilized country. I thought ours was too, until I went to Japan.
then move there and shut up
Flew AA for the first time in years last week RDU-DFW and I liked that they made an announcement at the gate that the scanners wouldn't allow anyone to board outside of the group number connected to their boarding pass. Probably BS but it seemed to convince everyone! Compare to my LGA DL flights where there's always a scrum, usually involving seasoned business travelers who should know better by now.
Not BS. They rolled it out recently. https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-enforcing-boarding-priority/
Why even have 10 different boarding groups when they often call up multiple groups at once? Almost every flight I'm on, they do Pre-Boarding, then call up groups 1-3 together, then 4-6, then 7-9. Or some similar combination.
I'd think it depends on how many people they have in each group. If there are some groups with hardly anyone in it I can see them combining them.
The smaller the aeroplane the less difference it makes when they call several groups at once. On a B777, there's more need to do them one at a time.
I thought I had read that they are also increasing the boarding cutoff time from 15 minutes prior to departure to 20 minutes - if that's true, then it is the most annoying part of this update IMHO. I'd rather hang out in the lounge longer than sitting around on the plane.
American has the most boarding groups among big 3 and it is not changing. Only making the process more complicated, wasting everyone’s time, and giving out less recognition for status holders. Hate from EP.
It's pretty simple. When they call "Group 1" you remain seated if you're in a different group. It's only complicated because people can't follow simple instructions and board when their group is called.
Everybody in lower groups huddling at the gate inching their way to get on board while passengers actually in the group called have to navigate around then. Everyone, including the FAs, anxious. It's terrible
Last month I flew CLT-LHR on a B777-300 in J with PP status (so, group 2 boarding). I had to wait for several dozen group 1 passengers (many not in C or J) to board first. That's a lot of EPs. It didn't see fair that I, with a paid J ticket, was boarding after all of them.
The change to board C & J before EPs flying in W or Y was definitely needed. Calling this practice "pre-boarding" is silly, however.
The biggest problem? First/business customers that immediately go in the lane during Pre Boards, since Pre Boards use the Priority Lanes. Mostly older couples that think they're special.
Yesterday out of the blue I got CK status. Went on the app to check the status of the my incoming a/c and there it was. No email but I'm not complaining. Have no idea of how long I'll have it.
The nice thing about CK is...
The biggest problem? First/business customers that immediately go in the lane during Pre Boards, since Pre Boards use the Priority Lanes. Mostly older couples that think they're special.
Yesterday out of the blue I got CK status. Went on the app to check the status of the my incoming a/c and there it was. No email but I'm not complaining. Have no idea of how long I'll have it.
The nice thing about CK is that you got to preboard out of the Group One scrum. Well that benefit is now gone.
Could have just made EP Group 2 and the rest group 1 instead of pre-board. But I guess the terminology makes all involved feel better the way they chose.
Not sure why a travel blog would even reference "coddling" elites. Those tend to be the most profitable passengers so giving them special treatment incentivizes them to keep using you over the guy who's flying because it was the cheapest flight on a portal.
Boarding early is overrated. Even in premium cabins it's a better experience not arriving at the gate until final boarding is called
Overhead bin space
If you're in a premium cabin you should be good. If not, be sneaky and pull someone's bag out, replace it with your own, then tell the flight attendant you don't have space for 'your' bag. Have them leave it on the tarmac or something
(jk on that second one)
Don't travel with huge carry-on and you don't need to worry about overhead bin space :) There's plenty of space in the hold and I don't have to care about liquid restrictions etc., lug my bag around the airport and worry about boarding first.
@Samo, I see you have never had an airline misplace your luggage, forcing you to spend half your trip running around trying to find replacement clothes. This has happened to me multiple times, which is why even if I'm checking a bag, I always bring a large carry-on with enough clothes to last a few days. If that carry-on gets checked, it defeats the purpose. So airlines have been able to weaponize their incompetence: because...
@Samo, I see you have never had an airline misplace your luggage, forcing you to spend half your trip running around trying to find replacement clothes. This has happened to me multiple times, which is why even if I'm checking a bag, I always bring a large carry-on with enough clothes to last a few days. If that carry-on gets checked, it defeats the purpose. So airlines have been able to weaponize their incompetence: because they often lose checked bags, we are willing to pay for the privilege of boarding earlier.
And don't even get me started about the time I was forced to gate check a bag by Delta, only to find there was plenty of overhead bin space. To add insult to injury, my bag was one of the last out at baggage claim, and someone had unzipped it and stolen my (worthless, but important to me) medication. So forgive me if I want to board early enough to have a place for my bag.
Yep. Exactly. On my flight to LA last week, I was in F and boarded as soon as group 1 was called. When I got to my seat, there was barely enough room in the overhead coz the guy sitting next to me, who had already boarded, had a carry-on that was so large that it could not fit on its side. It clearly should have been checked. GA nor FA stopped him. As long as this sort of stuff continues, the overhead bin problem will continue to exist.
Curious on your statement on United, saying "I actually appreciate American boarding first and business class before all elite tiers with published requirements, as that’s quite a contrast to United, where Premier 1K members board before first and business class"
Why should first/biz class be ahead of 1K (or EXP)? Both are somewhat arbitrary anyway, not sure why one would be seen as preferred to another.
First class has always meant first on, first off, first bags delivered, and always should. The clue is in the description, "first".
This isn't the 1980s
For UA "First" is domestic premium cabin which is so far away from true "first" class that no, I don't think anyone should think it should indicate those things.
Basically the question is here is who would you rather piss off :
1.) Non-J/F flying 1Ks
2.) Non-1Ks flying J/F
United has chosen to piss off #2 in favor of keeping #1 happy. Others have gone the other way.
IMO 1Ks should board first. They're driving the most business to the airline.
Nine boarding groups! I remember when there was only two: first class and economy class. Life was less complicated back then!
That was before frequent flyer programs with their 200 "elite" levels offering different "privileges" came along and made everyone who spends a few thousand bucks a year on airplane tickets think they're the most important passenger waiting at the gate.
You and I remember a far more civilized time. God I am old !
As an EXP, I don't begrudge first class and business class loading before me. They either paid for it up front or got it through having a high enough upgrade status. In terms of what goes around comes around, when I get upgraded, I'll get that early boarding. Besides, I spent years as a 1K, so karma will have to bite me in the butt.
Completely agree. EP in group one when I'm in economy, no issue at all. When I'm in F, I've usually purchased that ticket (domestically) and will appreciate getting on board with a bag. Additionally I can just get in line early and wait, without worrying about offending the preboards.
My one regret is that this will not be in effect for my upcoming business trip later this month. It's annoying when 1 person in a wheelchair needs to pre-board and then there are 5 family members with them. Ridiculous.
...and “those in the premium cabin will experience the personalized service that they know and expect.”
LOLOL!!!!!
American stopped offering PDB service in domestic first eons ago. Not saying it was official, just saying they stopped, at least on all the flights *I* was on.
They just hate you. I tend to get PDBs the vast majority of the time when I get upgraded to domestic F.
What "personalized service that J/F know and expect"? Is AA referring to the PDB?
I wonder how this will lead to fewer carry-on bags needing to be gate checked...
I think it's the free glass of water before departure.
So on a large wide body, e.g. the 77W at least 60+ people (70+ in the new configuration) will be in the "pre-board" group? How does this make sense?
Is American Airlines leaving Oneworld or simply thumbing its nose at first class boarding for Emeralds?
Relax. There’s enough room for 100 overhead bags and only 16-20 F people boarding before any Emeralds.
Sending hate as an EP. For both new groupings and boarding times.
"Sending hate..."
As they say, you reap what you sow...
So business passengers pre-board but Emeralds are relegated to Group 2. Why not just opt out of Alliances completely if they’re not inclined to give alliance elites anywhere near F equivalent boarding priority (which is what Emerald is supposed to be)?
Why should you expect to pre-board when you are not travelling in J or F cabins? If you want to preboard with J/F, purchase a ticket in those cabins and you will not have any issues. Until you purchase such, AA is right to have you board after me.
Hello Ben, thanks for this post. You know what also would make a great post: „Three days in Miami - Booked: Global Airlines, Amerijet and Caribbean Airlines“.
Routing would be:
Glasgow->JFK (Global Airlines)
JFK->Santa Domingo (Delta or JetBlue)
Santa Domingo->Miami (Amerijet or Arajet)
Miami->Port of Spain (Carribean Airlines)
Port of Spain->JFK (Carribean Airlines or JetBlue)
JFK->Glasgow (Global Airlines)
I would love to see maybe Mexico City to Caracas thrown in there on the Conviasa A340 as well, but second this .
Hahahhahaa book it Lucky
When Ben gets to review Amerijet, that would be amazing. Let me know how to book flights with them.
It's Santo Domingo, not "Santa"
I don't get the pre-boarding concept. It is boarding. I can at least understand if it is disabled people that need assistance as they do often take them on board before the general boarding process starts.
9 boarding groups plus several groups of 'pre-boarding' really just seems like far too much for most flights.
I've always that this is done to preserve the concept of value associated with boarding as part of "Group 1" for credit card holders or other status groups. Intentional semantics to be able to preserve the critical revenue stream from credit card issuers. Boarding Air Canada domestic is quite a contrast to AA/UA/AS/DL.
It is a marketing term to fool Group 1 flyers into thinking they are the first to board. Kind of like when car dealers started refering to their used car inventory "pre-owned".
I almost feel like it is just a way to avoid having to admit that they have 12-13 boarding groups. I agree that, besides disabled people, it's not "pre-boarding," it's just an early boarding group.