We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on
the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective
editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that
appear on our site. This compensation helps us provide tools and services -
like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of
mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner
compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we
highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your
credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot
pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
How Alaska Airlines Boarding Groups Work
Passengers with elite status or sitting in first class get priority boarding on Alaska Airlines.
Natasha is a freelance writer and frequent traveler. She writes about luxury travel, travel hacking and credit card rewards. Her goal is to encourage more people to experience the world around them.
Megan Lee is a former editor on the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She had more than 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.
Published
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and
relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving
writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and
complete as possible.
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on
NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not
been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
Alaska Airlines has a straightforward boarding process. If you have an upcoming flight, knowing the Alaska boarding groups in advance can help to make your flying experience less stressful.
Find out more about the airline's boarding process, so you're prepared for your trip and know when it's time to get on the plane.
The Alaska Airlines boarding groups
How many boarding groups does Alaska have? Alaska Airlines has six boarding groups, making their boarding process relatively simple. These six groups will be able to get on the plane following those eligible for preboarding.
First-class ticketed passengers.
Group A.
Group B.
Group C.
Group D.
Group E.
Travelers who can preboard include guests with disabilities or who need extra time to board, families with children under 2, and active-duty military members.
After preboarding is complete, first-class ticketed passengers are the first boarding group. Then the process continues, in alphabetical order, beginning with Group A and ending with Group E.
Subscribe to our free TravelNerd newsletter for inspiration, tips and money-saving strategies, delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional
content and agree to our Terms of Use
and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
How Alaska's boarding groups are assigned
Your ticket type and your Atmos Rewards elite status level will determine your assigned boarding group. If you have elite status, you may be able to board sooner, no matter where you're seated on the plane.
You'll see your group assignment on your boarding pass. Alaska has display screens at the gate to help travelers know when it's their turn to board. The groups with a green check board, while groups in red will board soon.
Nerdy Perspective
What's your experience like flying Alaska Airlines?
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
I love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly it more often. When I've been upgraded to first class, the seats haven't been amazing and the cabins tend to be on the older side, but the cabin crew are reliably friendly and attentive. The food options also tend to be a bit better quality than other domestic airlines. I love finding an Alaska route where the Companion Fare saves me hundreds. Many people use them for flights to Hawaii, but I've had excellent experiences using them to fly to Alaska and around the Pacific Northwest. I always get priority boarding with Alaska, either from having the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card, a first-class ticket or elite status. Alaska tends to be very generous with upgrades, especially on shorter routes, in my experience.
I love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly it more often. When I've been upgraded to first class, the seats haven't been amazing and the cabins tend to be on the older side, but the cabin crew are reliably friendly and attentive. The food options also tend to be a bit better quality than other domestic airlines. I love finding an Alaska route where the Companion Fare saves me hundreds. Many people use them for flights to Hawaii, but I've had excellent experiences using them to fly to Alaska and around the Pacific Northwest. I always get priority boarding with Alaska, either from having the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card, a first-class ticket or elite status. Alaska tends to be very generous with upgrades, especially on shorter routes, in my experience.
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Alaska Airlines is the most underrated airline in the U.S. The seats are comfortable, the service is good, and they offer tons of low-cost redemptions internationally, too. I have AAdvantage Gold status, which means I also get Oneworld Ruby status, which helps me get priority boarding (and the occasional complimentary upgrade) on Alaska Airlines flights.
Alaska Airlines is the most underrated airline in the U.S. The seats are comfortable, the service is good, and they offer tons of low-cost redemptions internationally, too. I have AAdvantage Gold status, which means I also get Oneworld Ruby status, which helps me get priority boarding (and the occasional complimentary upgrade) on Alaska Airlines flights.
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Alaska Airlines has the best food and beverage selection out of all U.S.-based airlines. The service is usually very good, and miles redemptions with the Alaska Mileage Plan can provide a ton of value for international travel. I just redeemed Alaska miles for a flight on Finnair from Helsinki to JFK for only 27.5k miles! That's almost 4 cents per point in value! The Companion Fare that comes with my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is very easy to use and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years on Alaska Airlines flights.
Alaska Airlines has the best food and beverage selection out of all U.S.-based airlines. The service is usually very good, and miles redemptions with the Alaska Mileage Plan can provide a ton of value for international travel. I just redeemed Alaska miles for a flight on Finnair from Helsinki to JFK for only 27.5k miles! That's almost 4 cents per point in value! The Companion Fare that comes with my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is very easy to use and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years on Alaska Airlines flights.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
I love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly it more often. When I've been upgraded to first class, the seats haven't been amazing and the cabins tend to be on the older side, but the cabin crew are reliably friendly and attentive. The food options also tend to be a bit better quality than other domestic airlines. I love finding an Alaska route where the Companion Fare saves me hundreds. Many people use them for flights to Hawaii, but I've had excellent experiences using them to fly to Alaska and around the Pacific Northwest. I always get priority boarding with Alaska, either from having the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card, a first-class ticket or elite status. Alaska tends to be very generous with upgrades, especially on shorter routes, in my experience.
I love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly it more often. When I've been upgraded to first class, the seats haven't been amazing and the cabins tend to be on the older side, but the cabin crew are reliably friendly and attentive. The food options also tend to be a bit better quality than other domestic airlines. I love finding an Alaska route where the Companion Fare saves me hundreds. Many people use them for flights to Hawaii, but I've had excellent experiences using them to fly to Alaska and around the Pacific Northwest. I always get priority boarding with Alaska, either from having the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card, a first-class ticket or elite status. Alaska tends to be very generous with upgrades, especially on shorter routes, in my experience.
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Alaska Airlines is the most underrated airline in the U.S. The seats are comfortable, the service is good, and they offer tons of low-cost redemptions internationally, too. I have AAdvantage Gold status, which means I also get Oneworld Ruby status, which helps me get priority boarding (and the occasional complimentary upgrade) on Alaska Airlines flights.
Alaska Airlines is the most underrated airline in the U.S. The seats are comfortable, the service is good, and they offer tons of low-cost redemptions internationally, too. I have AAdvantage Gold status, which means I also get Oneworld Ruby status, which helps me get priority boarding (and the occasional complimentary upgrade) on Alaska Airlines flights.
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Alaska Airlines has the best food and beverage selection out of all U.S.-based airlines. The service is usually very good, and miles redemptions with the Alaska Mileage Plan can provide a ton of value for international travel. I just redeemed Alaska miles for a flight on Finnair from Helsinki to JFK for only 27.5k miles! That's almost 4 cents per point in value! The Companion Fare that comes with my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is very easy to use and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years on Alaska Airlines flights.
Alaska Airlines has the best food and beverage selection out of all U.S.-based airlines. The service is usually very good, and miles redemptions with the Alaska Mileage Plan can provide a ton of value for international travel. I just redeemed Alaska miles for a flight on Finnair from Helsinki to JFK for only 27.5k miles! That's almost 4 cents per point in value! The Companion Fare that comes with my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is very easy to use and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years on Alaska Airlines flights.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
I love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly it more often. When I've been upgraded to first class, the seats haven't been amazing and the cabins tend to be on the older side, but the cabin crew are reliably friendly and attentive. The food options also tend to be a bit better quality than other domestic airlines. I love finding an Alaska route where the Companion Fare saves me hundreds. Many people use them for flights to Hawaii, but I've had excellent experiences using them to fly to Alaska and around the Pacific Northwest. I always get priority boarding with Alaska, either from having the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card, a first-class ticket or elite status. Alaska tends to be very generous with upgrades, especially on shorter routes, in my experience.
I love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly it more often. When I've been upgraded to first class, the seats haven't been amazing and the cabins tend to be on the older side, but the cabin crew are reliably friendly and attentive. The food options also tend to be a bit better quality than other domestic airlines. I love finding an Alaska route where the Companion Fare saves me hundreds. Many people use them for flights to Hawaii, but I've had excellent experiences using them to fly to Alaska and around the Pacific Northwest. I always get priority boarding with Alaska, either from having the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card, a first-class ticket or elite status. Alaska tends to be very generous with upgrades, especially on shorter routes, in my experience.
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Alaska Airlines is the most underrated airline in the U.S. The seats are comfortable, the service is good, and they offer tons of low-cost redemptions internationally, too. I have AAdvantage Gold status, which means I also get Oneworld Ruby status, which helps me get priority boarding (and the occasional complimentary upgrade) on Alaska Airlines flights.
Alaska Airlines is the most underrated airline in the U.S. The seats are comfortable, the service is good, and they offer tons of low-cost redemptions internationally, too. I have AAdvantage Gold status, which means I also get Oneworld Ruby status, which helps me get priority boarding (and the occasional complimentary upgrade) on Alaska Airlines flights.
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Alaska Airlines has the best food and beverage selection out of all U.S.-based airlines. The service is usually very good, and miles redemptions with the Alaska Mileage Plan can provide a ton of value for international travel. I just redeemed Alaska miles for a flight on Finnair from Helsinki to JFK for only 27.5k miles! That's almost 4 cents per point in value! The Companion Fare that comes with my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is very easy to use and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years on Alaska Airlines flights.
Alaska Airlines has the best food and beverage selection out of all U.S.-based airlines. The service is usually very good, and miles redemptions with the Alaska Mileage Plan can provide a ton of value for international travel. I just redeemed Alaska miles for a flight on Finnair from Helsinki to JFK for only 27.5k miles! That's almost 4 cents per point in value! The Companion Fare that comes with my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is very easy to use and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years on Alaska Airlines flights.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
How to get Alaska Airlines priority boarding
There are a few ways to get priority boarding privileges, like purchasing a premium-class ticket or having elite status with the airline. But those aren't the only options. Here are several ways to get on the plane sooner:
Qualify for preboarding
Flyers who qualify for preboarding get on the plane before all other travelers, including first-class passengers. So, if you are eligible, you can get settled in your seat before the regular boarding process begins.
Fly in a premium cabin
When purchasing a first- or premium-class ticket, you'll get priority boarding privileges, getting to board the plane before travelers with main cabin or saver seat tickets.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Not all Alaska Airlines aircraft have first-class or premium-class seating, so these classes of tickets may not be available for all routes.
Achieve elite status
Being a frequent Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flyer has benefits — including the chance to achieve elite status through their Atmos Rewards loyalty program.
Folks with the highest levels of elite status can board when Group A is called — right after first-class passengers.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Flying with Alaska Airlines or its partners often could help you achieve elite status sooner.
Upgrade your ticket
Another way to get priority boarding is to upgrade your ticket before departure. Depending on your ticket type, you may be able to pay with cash or redeem miles. Upgrades start at as little as $5 for premium class and $23 for first class.
Alaska Airlines has a reputation for throwing holiday-themed priority boarding promotions. These promotions encourage travelers to dress up by theme to earn priority boarding privileges.
In the past, the airline has celebrated May the Fourth along with Star Wars fans and has gotten into the holiday spirit by celebrating National Ugly Sweater Day. Keep an eye out for these promotions — you may be able to board sooner if you decide to participate.
Final thoughts on Alaska Airlines boarding groups
The Alaska Airlines boarding process is simple and easy to follow. If you qualify for preboarding or have a first-class ticket, you'll be able to get seated early. Otherwise, you'll need to review your boarding pass to see which of the Alaska boarding groups you're part of to determine when you can board the plane.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
