United Changes Its Boarding Process – Will It Work?

LGBTQ+ travelers who usually choose the aisle seat are expected to be unlucky vacationers on United Airlines, which is expecting to change its boarding procedure on October 26. Under the new process, middle-seat passengers will board the plane before passengers with aisle seats.

However, there is good news for passengers who normally board in Groups 1 and 2. The boarding process will remain the same for flyers in first class and business class as well as customers with MileagePlus loyalty status and United co-branded credit card holders.

Group 3 – which usually includes exit row seats – will remain the same, but Group 4 will be used only for middle-seat passengers. The new Group 5 will be for aisle-seat passengers, and basic economy passengers, or Group 6, will board last. 

The new boarding procedure has been tested at one of its hub airports and four smaller airports. According to United, it has proven quicker than the existing protocol. A United memo notes that the boarding times have increased on the airline by an average of two minutes since 2019. 

We’re waiting to see how it all pans out after a month or so. It’s just a bummer for passengers with aisle seats because they will more likely have a tougher time finding an overhead bin to store their carry-on luggage or bag. 

What do you think about this new process? Do you think it will work?