---
title: "What is Priority boarding? | Benefit Systems"
description: "Priority boarding is the right to board ahead of other passengers, granted through status, fare, a card or an extra payment."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Priority boarding?

Priority boarding is the right to board ahead of other passengers, granted through status, fare, a card or an extra payment.

Also called: Early boarding, Boarding group.

## How it works #

Its practical value sits almost entirely in overhead bin space: board early and the carry-on stays with you, board late and it gets gate-checked. On flights heavy with hand luggage that is worth real money; on empty flights it is worth nothing. Group order follows the airline’s status hierarchy, not the order people queue in.

## Not to be confused with #

Priority boarding is not the same as a guaranteed seat: the seat is already in the booking, boarding order only decides who walks on first.

## In German #

The German term is Vorrangiges Boarding. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/vorrangiges-boarding)

## Related terms #

- [Elite status](/en/glossary/elite-status): Elite status is a tier in a loyalty programme that grants extra benefits for a limited period once a qualification threshold has been met.
- [Carry-on rules](/en/glossary/carry-on-rules): Carry-on rules are an airline’s limits on the size, weight and number of bags that may be taken into the cabin.
- [Basic economy](/en/glossary/basic-economy): Basic economy is a network airline’s cheapest fare, with baggage, seat selection and changes stripped out of the price.

## Articles that use this term #

- [When airline elite status gets you nothing](/en/knowledge/when-status-gets-you-nothing)
- [What can you take in your carry-on?](/en/knowledge/carry-on-rules)
- [What is basic economy and what’s missing?](/en/knowledge/basic-economy)