United Airlines will launch a new boarding scheme for economy customers, and whether your preferred seating is window, middle, or aisle will determine how soon you board the airplane.
A memo states that the airline will begin utilizing a window, middle, aisle seat order known as WILMA in the industry for economy boarding.
Most United flights will be subjected to this new routine beginning October 26. The following is an explanation: Once economy boarding commences, passengers snagging a window seat may enter the Group 3 queue, along with those with exit row seats. Next, passengers with middle seats in economy may board through the Group 4 queue. Lastly, those with aisle seats in economy may board through the Group 5 queue.
The method will also adjust for comparable boarding among travelers: passengers with an identical economy booking, such as family or couples, will be allocated the same and highest boarding group number. Eligible fares excludes passengers in basic economy.
However, all basic economy fliers, regardless of seating placement, will be relocated to Group 6, which is the final boarding zone. That is, they will be the last to enter the airplane.
There will be no exemption for current pre-boarding routes or unique boarding routes for active military, special-needs customers, or business class, first class, and elite status fliers.
Although it previously employed WILMA, the airline has per used a front-to-back approach since 2017. However, since 2019, United’s boarding periods have lengthened by two minutes on average prompting the airline to consider new alternatives to hasten the process.
United experimented with the WILMA method in four domestic airports, including a major hub, and discovered it to be quicker, lowering boarding times by two minutes. While two moments may appear insignificant, a minor hold-up could cause tarmac queues, wreak havoc on schedules and increase expenses for the airline.
Whether it’s worth it: US carriers are continually attempting adjustments to their boarding techniques to make them more efficient and profitable. JetBlue was using a reverse-accelerated method but briefly revived it during the pandemic to spend less time in the corridor. Southwest Airlines’s ‘open-seating’ approach allows consumers to board in groups and select the first accessible seat. It’s 47 percent faster than typical boarding, according to CheapAir.com. Still, Southwest has experimented with using the front door only at some locations, but it hasn’t been embraced.
Most airlines, particularly United, prefer a front-to-back, reverse-acceleration technique since it is more profitable. Free boarding is viewed as a high-paying option for those who purchased premium seats, earned elite membership with co-branded cards, or bought access to advance boarding. It performs magnificently for US Southwest.
Passengers are eager to pay a premium for advance overhead bin handling these days since they used to be permitted to do so in previous years. However, if you’re looking to save money when flying economy, it might pay to book a window in your seating arrangement.
