American Airlines refines the boarding process
American Airlines updates boarding process from May 1, adding time and reorganizing groups to streamline boarding and enhance customer experience. The article American Airlines refines the boarding process first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Summer travel heats up soon, and American Airlines is focused on making the airport experience even simpler and more straightforward. Starting May 1, American will refine the boarding process by updating boarding groups and adding an additional five minutes of boarding time.
Updated groups for easier preboarding
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.
More time, less stress
In February, American Airlines announced it was adding five additional minutes of boarding time to domestic mainline flights beginning May 1. Slightly more time coupled with updated boarding groups will allow for a better paced boarding process and better management of overhead bin space, which means three key wins for the airline’s customers:
- Fewer carry-on bags will need to be checked at the departure gate.
- Customers will have more time to get settled and find their seats, and receive support from flight attendants when needed.
- Those in the premium cabin will experience the personalized service that they know and expect.
How much time will you get to board?
- Airbus A319, A320 aircraft: 35 minutes
- Boeing 737, Airbus A321 and all widebody aircraft: 40 minutes
Now boarding … your group
These enhancements come on the heels of American’s industry-leading launch of new boarding technology last fall – and customer and team member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers can fully enjoy the benefits of their assigned boarding group, and team members now have more insight into the number of customers in each group to maintain a steady boarding process. This technology is available to 90% of customers when boarding, including most of American’s major hubs, with the remaining 10% rolling out before the end of 2025.
| Preboard | ConciergeKey |
| Preboard | First/Business |
| Preboard | 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 |
Want an earlier boarding group?
The more members fly and earn with the AAdvantage program, the closer they get to unlocking premium perks – like boarding in Groups 1 through 4.
The article American Airlines refines the boarding process first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
