
Next week, United Airlines will alter its boarding procedure to allow passengers in economy class who have chosen window seats to board before those who have chosen middle and aisle seats.
The business claimed that the modification might reduce the boarding time by two minutes.
According to a business letter given to CNBC, the new procedure will start on October 26. United claimed that starting in 2019, boarding times had increased by up to two minutes.
Airlines frequently alter the boarding process to reduce the amount of time it takes for passengers to board aircraft, and they typically reward their biggest spenders with some of the earliest boarding. In particular, at crowded airports, a departure delay brought on by a disorderly boarding process could lead to additional disruptions throughout the day when aircraft and passengers arrive later.
The memo states that United will maintain its current boarding procedure from preboarding through Group 3, which comprises passengers with disabilities, active duty military personnel, passengers with children under the age of two, and United’s top-tier elite frequent fliers.
Group 4 passengers will board first, then those in middle seats, then those in aisle seats, starting with those with window seats. Families, for example, can board together if they are on the same reservation, according to United.
On select overseas flights as well as some domestic flights, the new boarding procedure will be used.