If you’ve ever traveled as a family with diaper bags, snack packs, restless toddlers, and grandparents all in tow then you know how crucial it is for every part of your trip to go smoothly. One of the most overlooked but surprisingly important parts? Boarding the plane.
During a recent family trip, we flew American Airlines on a cross-country journey with our kids and grandmother. While the flight itself was relatively smooth, the boarding process taught us a lot about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to American Airlines Boarding Groups especially when traveling as a group with mixed ages and needs.
This is our honest feedback, based on first-hand experience. Whether you’re flying with young kids, teens, or elderly family members, hopefully our story helps you prepare for a more stress-free journey.
Understanding the American Airlines Boarding Group System
Before we dive into our story, here’s a quick primer on how American Airlines boarding works:
Preboarding: Offered to travelers who need extra time and families with children under 2.
Group 1: First Class, AAdvantage Executive Platinum and other elite members.
Groups 2–4: Includes elite members, premium cabin passengers, and credit card holders.
Groups 5–9: Main Cabin customers, with Group 9 reserved for Basic Economy.
In theory, it’s a structured and tiered system but for families with different needs or ticket types, it can feel more like a puzzle.
The Setup: Our Family Travel Scenario
We were flying from Dallas to San Diego to visit extended family over spring break. Our group included:
Two parents
One toddler (age 3)
One infant (9 months)
One grandparent (mid-70s)
We booked Main Cabin seats, ensuring we were all seated together, but did not upgrade to Main Cabin Extra or pay for priority boarding. We were mainly focused on cost efficiency and comfort.
First Impressions: Confusion at the Gate
When we arrived at the gate, we quickly noticed how unclear the boarding announcements can be when traveling with young children. The gate agent called for preboarding, and we caught the phrase “families traveling with children under 2” which included us but the message was brief and easy to miss.
A few people were already queuing in front of us, including solo travelers who clearly weren’t preboarding. We weren’t sure whether we were supposed to wait our turn or go ahead. I hesitated and that hesitation cost us.
By the time we stepped forward, several other groups had boarded, and space was already tight in the front of the plane. We ended up having to store one of our carry-ons further down the aisle, which made things complicated when we needed access to snacks and diapers mid-flight.
Suggestion: Clearer signage or even a dedicated family boarding lane would go a long way in reducing confusion at the gate for families juggling multiple responsibilities.
The Perks of Preboarding(If You Catch It)
Despite the slight chaos, preboarding itself was a blessing. We were able to settle into our seats, organize toys, secure the infant car seat, and let our toddler get used to the space, all without the pressure of a full plane behind us.
Having that calm 10–15 minutes made a world of difference for us as parents. The flight attendants also had more time to check in with us, offer help storing items, and confirm our stroller would be waiting at the arrival gate.
Key Takeaway: If you’re traveling with a child under 2, preboarding is absolutely worth it. Just be proactive at the gate and don’t be afraid to step up when it’s announced.
When the Group Splits: Grandparent in Group 7
Here’s where things got complicated.
While my spouse and I qualified for preboarding with our baby, my mother the kids’ grandmother did not. She was in Boarding Group 7, which meant she had to board much later. By the time she made it on, she was rushed, and there was barely any overhead bin space left near our seats.
She ended up needing assistance from a flight attendant to stow her bag, which caused a slight delay for passengers behind her and, of course, made her feel embarrassed.
What’s frustrating is that although we were clearly one traveling group, we were separated by the system. If you book your tickets together, there should be more flexibility to allow families, especially multigenerational ones to board together.
Our feedback: American Airlines should consider adjusting its boarding policy to allow seniors traveling with families with young children to board together under the pre boarding or early groups. It’s not just convenient, it’s compassionate.
The Return Flight: Learning from Experience
On our return flight, we made a small change: we paid a little extra for Main Cabin Extra seats. Not only did we get slightly more legroom, but we also got bumped up to Boarding Group 4 and it made a noticeable difference.
This time, we didn’t qualify for preboarding (no infant on this leg), but boarding in Group 4 gave us enough time and space to settle in without rushing. The overhead bins were still mostly empty, the aisle wasn’t crowded, and we felt a lot more relaxed.
Would I recommend paying for earlier boarding as a family? Yes — if you can swing it. Especially for longer flights or those during busy travel seasons, it takes the edge off that chaotic boarding process.
The Positives: What American Airlines Does Right
Despite the quirks in the system, there are things we really appreciated about American Airlines’ boarding process:
Friendly gate agents: Both outbound and return trips had helpful staff who smiled at our kids and offered assistance without us having to ask.
Efficient boarding timeline: The boarding process started on time and moved along steadily. No long waiting periods on the jet bridge.
Preboarding benefits: Families with infants genuinely get a head start, which makes a big impact.
Opportunities for Improvement
Based on our full experience, here’s what we’d love to see American Airlines improve for families:
Extend Pre Boarding to Families with Children Under 5
Babies aren’t the only ones who need extra time. Any parent who’s traveled with a toddler knows the chaos of wrangling them into a seat. Giving families with young children (not just infants) the option to board early would be a game-changer.Group Boarding for Family Reservations
If a family books all their tickets under one reservation, there should be an option for them to board together — even if individuals fall into different groups due to age or ticket type.Visual Indicators for Boarding Zones
A dedicated sign or section at the gate for families and preboarders would reduce stress and make things more intuitive for first-time or infrequent flyers.
Final Thoughts: Not Perfect, But Promising
All in all, American Airlines’ Boarding Group system has its strengths, especially for families who understand how to navigate it. Preboarding can be a real advantage for parents with infants, and Group 4 access through Main Cabin Extra can be a worthwhile upgrade.
That said, the system still feels like it was designed with solo or business travelers in mind. Families, especially those traveling across generations, would benefit from more inclusive and adaptive boarding policies.
Traveling with a family isn’t always easy. But small changes, like better communication, group cohesion, and early access to overhead space, can turn a stressful boarding process into a smooth one.
Until then, we’ll keep planning, packing smart, and — when needed — politely advocating at the gate to make sure our family gets onboard with less hassle and more calm.
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