Known best for its eminent flight services and covering 115+ destinations, Alaska Airlines is ruling the hearts of air travelers. From the best travel amenities to a seamless boarding process, the airline has made everything very convenient for all passengers. So, if you are planning to travel with Alaska or have an approaching flight with them, then remember to look over how does Alaska Airlines board. To find out more about them, keep on reading this travelogue on Alaska Airlines boarding!
An Overview of Airline Boarding System
Certainly, their boarding system is quite straightforward as they board the passengers in groups. The airline first of all divided the passengers into various categories or groups. This includes priority boarding, Groups A – F, and pre-boarding. The groups are decided based on fare types, loyalty groups, and reservation types.
The sole purpose of grouping is to offer a personalized and flexible boarding experience to all travelers for their solace while they enter the aircraft. Hence, this saves the time of the travelers from terminal wait- times and even minimizes the inconvenience at the airport.
The airlines mainly have a five-boarding group, labeled A to E. This is to note that every group boards in a certain order to manage the flow of travelers and their baggage. You can understand it better by looking at the following boarding group chart:
| Alaska Boarding Group | Description |
| Pre-boarding | Guests with disabilities require a little more time to board Families with kids under the age of 2 Military active members |
| First Class | First-class Guests |
| Group A | Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K Mileage Plan Million Miler Mileage Plan MVP Gold members Mileage Plan MVP Gold 100K |
| Group B | Guests in premium class seats Mileage Plan MVP members Oneworld Ruby members |
| Group C | Remaining guests seated in the back half of the flight |
| Group D | Remaining guests seated in the rear half of the aircraft |
| Group E | Saver seats guests |
Factors for Boarding Groups Assignment
There are indeed certain factors that decide upon the boarding group assignments. So, remember that your group is assigned based on the following facets:
- MVP Status: The airline offers the facility of priority boarding to frequent flyers with MVP status.
- Ticket Class: All first-class travelers typically can board first.
- Purchase Options: Travelers who are concerned with quick boarding are free to pay for the priority boarding charges during the seat reservation and avail of the facility.
- Families and Young Children: Furthermore, families with young ones, regardless of their assigned group can board earlier.
What is the need for Group Boarding Systems?
Thinking why there is a need for a group boarding system, then here are some of the reasons how it can be advantageous for travelers:
- Reduces Overcrowding: The main perk of the group boarding system is that there is no overcrowding. By boarding in smaller groups, the airline tries to reduce the total number of travelers entering the plane one at a time. This mainly helps to minimize the crowds in the aisles.
- On-Time Performance enhancement: Further, a well-structured and systematic boarding Alaska process effectively ensures on-time departures. The passenger groups efficiently reduce the likelihood of flight delays.
- Improves the travel experience: With a grouped boarding system, you can board the plane within the assigned time free of stress. Additionally, there is no competition with other passengers for overhead bin space or seats.
Tips for a Smooth Boarding Experience
You can follow the following top tips for making your boarding process even better and smooth:
- Know the Boarding Group: First of all, you should check your boarding pass before you arrive at the gate. It would be really helpful for you to know the boarding group in advance and that can assist you relax and get ready for your turn.
- Reach at the Gate on- time: Besides, though the boarding starts with Group A, it would be great for you to arrive early. A timely arrival can assist you in safeguarding an aerial bin space for your carry-on baggage, especially if your group is in the last.
- Listen Announcements: It is really important to stay up with the announcements made by the airline representative. The staff constantly announces all the boarding groups clearly, and you must pay attention to avoid missing the call of your group.
- Consider Priority Boarding: Above all, if you fly often with Alaska Airlines, then always consider signing up for an airline credit card or ensure to enroll in the MVP program. You can thus later access the priority boarding process and other advantages.
Hope by now, you have got the right idea about how does Alaska Airlines board. The airline staff effectively stick to the grouping process for a hassle-free flight and boarding experience. It is very significant to understand the Alaska’s boarding group system as that would improve your travel perfectly. Because when you know the process, it gets more simple to navigate with added confidence. So, before you start your journey, do not miss out on checking your group, pay attention to the ongoing announcements, and follow the steps as told by the staff. Recall that “Alaska Airlines has made everything convenient for Passengers!”
Commonly Asked Questions
The Alaska staff follows a grouping method to board all its main seats by group letter after First class and preboarding guests flyers are seated.
The airline avoids offering seat assignments immediately but before 26 hours earlier the scheduled departure of your plane. However, the adjacent seat assignments, booked for adults traveling with a child below 13 years are available at the booking right away.
There is nothing to panic about even if you have mistakenly missed your group call at Alaska Airlines. Just reach out to the gate personnel and they will assist you with the further steps but stay primed for the probable delays.
No! The airline assigns you to the boarding group by considering certain factors like ticket class, status, and time of booking. However, you have the option to buy priority boarding but you cannot change your boarding groups.
Even if the boarding groups are assigned later, Alaska Airlines allows families with young kids to board earlier. For additional information, you can reach out to the representative at the boarding area.
The Alaska Airline has about 6-7 boarding groups at present.