Why Many Frequent Travelers Strive To Be The Last Person To Board The Plane

Boarding a plane often feels like a race to see who can get on first. Gate lice crowd the boarding area, impatiently waiting for their group to be called. Others pay a price for priority boarding or are granted the benefit for being an elite customer. But what if boarding last — not first — is the real luxury?

According to many frequent fliers, it's almost always better to be the last on the aircraft. As long as there's a seat reserved in your name, you won't secure a better spot by rushing to board. On the other hand, boarding after everyone else could give you access to a superior seat. TikToker @originate._ went viral when he posted a video explaining that boarding last makes it easier to see which seats are still open, potentially giving you a free upgrade to premium economy or another desirable spot.

Boarding last also means spending less time in a crowded, uncomfortable cabin. On Reddit, u/Accurate-Bluebird277 wrote, "Airplanes always advertise 'priority boarding' and first boarding but if you're one of the first to board or middle boarding you have to get up a few times to let people in row or shuffle around for people who board after you and wait in line for your seat. Whereas if you're last to board all you have to do is find your seat." The post earned over 1,700 upvotes, though some Redditors noted that boarding last is trickier if you have a carry-on suitcase to stow.

If you don't mind sitting in your reserved seat for an extra 15 minutes during boarding time, it may seem pointless to wait longer inside the airport. However, if you're the type to get sick easily, boarding last can be one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from illness. As Zach Griff at The Points Guy shared, being the last one on the plane reduces physical contact with other travelers, especially when everyone's huddled around the gate together. As a result, you may be less likely to catch a bug when hanging back away from the crowd.

Another group that should always consider boarding last is parents traveling with small children. One of travel expert Samantha Brown's top tips for flying with kids is waiting to board the plane. This gives little ones more time to move around and release energy before sitting in a metal tube for hours. However, Brown also suggests having one adult board early to organize the carry-on items and get the children's seats ready. If you don't have a second parent or adult to help, this tip can prove difficult to pull off.

Boarding last has its advantages, but waiting too long can lead to serious consequences. For one, you might cause a delay if the flight crew is kind enough to wait for you. Even worse, you could be bumped from your flight if you arrive at the gate after the doors have closed. With this in mind, being on time is crucial, even if you're the last to board.

Be sure to follow the airline's recommended schedule when checking in and getting through security. If your airline requires you to be checked in, say, one hour before the departure time, don't delay. If your airport is known for having time-consuming security checkpoints and a long entrance-to-gate walk, arrive at least a couple of hours early to be safe.

Then, position yourself near the gate during boarding time. Stay put while other passengers get on the plane, enjoying a few extra minutes to stretch or move around. Once the last person is through the gate, stand up and prepare to board. In some cases, you may be denied boarding even if the gate screen still reads "final call." When in doubt, follow the closing time printed on your boarding pass to ensure you make your flight.