Did American Just Make The Boarding Process More Confusing?

American Airlines has decided to re-classify its boarding process, saying the order will remain the same but the group names will change – with a few additions in some of the groups.

The new process, which starts on March 1, comes in the wake of American starting its new basic economy fare option. Basic economy is the least expensive fare on every fight but forces the ticket buyer to give up some past luxuries, including restrictions on using overhead bin space and being forced to board last and find any available seat instead of having a seat assignment.

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But does that streamline the process, or make it more complicated? According to MarketWatch, American is no longer announcing the members of its first four groups by name and is, instead, listing them from groups one through nine.

“The boarding order will be the same, with only minor exceptions,” a company spokesman told MarketWatch. “The change is in how we refer to each group on boarding passes and announcements.”

So allow us to perform a public service and break down how it’s going to work for you starting next week. The former name is listed first, and the new group listed second, and the differences.

PREBOARDING/PREBOARDING
OLD – Passengers who need assistance; passengers traveling with children
NEW – Passengers who need assistance; passengers traveling with children; ConciergeKey members

PRIORITY BOARDING LANE/GROUP 1
OLD – First class; active duty U.S. military with I.D.; business class on two-class international flight
NEW – First class; active duty U.S. military with I.D.; business class on two-class international flight

PRIORITY BOARDING LANE/GROUP 2
OLD – Business class; Executive Platinum; Oneworld Emerald
NEW – Business class on three-class aircraft; Executive Platinum; Oneworld Emerald

PRIORITY BOARDING LANE/GROUP 3
OLD – Platinum Pro; Platinum; Oneworld Sapphire
NEW – Platinum Pro; Platinum; Oneworld Sapphire

PRIORITY BOARDING LANE/GROUP 4
OLD – Gold; Oneworld Ruby; Alaska Airlines MVP members; AirPass; Citi/AAdvantage Executive members; customers who bought Priority boarding
NEW – Gold; Oneworld Ruby; Alaska Airlines MVP members; AirPass; Citi/AAdvantage Executive members; customers who bought Priority boarding

MAIN BOARDING LANE GROUP 1/GROUP 5 (PRIORITY BOARDING)
OLD – Main cabin extra; eligible AAdvantage credit card members
NEW – Main cabin extra; eligible AAdvantage credit card members; eligible corporate travelers

MAIN BOARDING LANE GROUP 2/GROUP 6
OLD – Passengers with regular economy fares
NEW – Passengers with regular economy fares

MAIN BOARDING LANE GROUP 3/GROUP 7
OLD – Passengers with regular economy fares
NEW – Passengers with regular economy fares

MAIN BOARDING LANE GROUP 4/GROUP 8
OLD – Passengers with regular economy fares
NEW – Passengers with regular economy fares

GROUP 9 (new grouping)
NEW – Passengers with basic economy fares