Boarding process
Boarding process
Boarding process
Most flights begin boarding 40-50 minutes before takeoff. Boarding ends and the plane doors close about 15 minutes before departure. To make sure boarding goes as smoothly as possible, we’ve outlined how it works here.
Boarding groups
To simplify the boarding process, we board all customers by group. You can find your group number on your boarding pass. Your group depends on who’s traveling, your ticket, your seat location and your MileagePlus status. If you’re traveling in a group and sitting in economy, you’ll all be assigned the earliest applicable boarding group.
Boarding groups
To simplify the boarding process, we board all customers by group. You can find your group number on your boarding pass. Your group depends on who’s traveling, your ticket, your seat location and your MileagePlus status. If you’re traveling in a group and sitting in economy, you’ll all be assigned the earliest applicable boarding group.
| Boarding group | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Pre-boarding |
|
| Group 1 |
|
| Group 2 |
|
| Group 3 |
|
| Group 4 |
|
| Group 5 |
|
| Group 6 |
|
BOARDING GROUP
| Pre-boarding | ELIGIBILITY |
|
| Group 1 | ELIGIBILITY |
|
| Group 2 | ELIGIBILITY |
|
| Group 3 | ELIGIBILITY |
|
| Group 4 | ELIGIBILITY |
|
| Group 5 | ELIGIBILITY |
|
| Group 6 | ELIGIBILITY |
|
*If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you’ll be in the last boarding group unless you are a Premier member, a qualifying Chase Cardmember, or a Star Alliance Gold member.
Boarding the plane
The gate agent will announce when it’s time to begin boarding. We recommend you stay seated until your group is called. You can also see what group is currently boarding on the screens in the gate area.
When it’s your turn, you’ll see blue and green signs in the gate area marking two boarding lanes. The signs are labeled so you know what groups board through each lane.
Boarding the plane
The gate agent will announce when it’s time to begin boarding. We recommend you stay seated until your group is called. You can also see what group is currently boarding on the screens in the gate area.
When it’s your turn, you’ll see blue and green signs in the gate area marking two boarding lanes. The signs are labeled so you know what groups board through each lane.
Group 1
Boards through the blue lane.
Group 2
Boards through the green lane.
Group 3 - 6
Board through the green lane when your boarding group is called.
Board through the green lane when your boarding group is called.
Group 1
Boards through the blue lane.
Group 2
Boards through the green lane.
Group 3 - 6
Board through the green lane when your boarding group is called.
Board through the green lane when your boarding group is called.
Once you’re on the plane, find your seat and stow your carry-on bags and personal items.
Once you’re on the plane, find your seat and stow your carry-on bags and personal items.
Traveler pro tips
Traveler pro tips
Here are few tips to make the boarding process easier:
Here are few tips to make the boarding process easier:
- Your digital boarding pass lets you know when to start boarding. Stay seated until your group is called.
- You can opt in to receive text messages letting you know when boarding begins.
- You can add Priority Boarding to your trip to get an earlier boarding group.
- If you add Premier Access to your trip you get Priority Boarding automatically and you get access to faster check-in and security lines.