Boarding process
When and how we board
Most flights start boarding 30 - 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you’re not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.
To allow enough time, review our recommended arrival and check-in times before planning your travel day.
Customers who need special assistance can ask to board early at the gate.
Boarding order
| Group | Boarding pass type |
|---|---|
| ConciergeKey® members | ConciergeKey® |
| First | Flights with seats ticketed as First on domestic flights or Flagship® First on international flights |
| Business | Flights with seats ticketed as Business on domestic flights or Flagship® Business on international flights |
| Family boarding | Families with children under 2 years old |
| Group 1 | AAdvantage Executive Platinum® Active duty U.S. military with valid military I.D. |
| Group 2 | AAdvantage Platinum Pro® oneworld® Emerald℠ |
| Group 3 | AAdvantage Platinum® oneworld® Sapphire℠ |
| Group 4 | AAdvantage Gold® oneworld® Ruby℠ AirPass℠ Premium Economy Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardmembers Travelers who bought Priority boarding |
| Group 5 (Preferred boarding) | 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** |
*Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers (on American Airlines flights) include:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World Elite™ Mastercard®
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World Elite™ Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® American Express® Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Visa Signature
- AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator™ Business Mastercard®
**Does not apply to AAdvantage® status members, AAdvantage® members who reach 15,000 Loyalty Points during the qualification year or eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers.