United Airlines aims to take the long wait and hassle out of flying with new updated boarding procedures.
The ‘better boarding’ process is aimed at streamlining one of the most frustrating aspects of air travel, by giving customers more space at the gate, less time waiting and improved boarding information.
United is reducing the number of boarding lanes from the current five to two which will give passengers added space, a little more time to relax and less time waiting in line.
A key enhancement is a new alert via United’s app informing users when boarding has started for their flight.
"The boarding process was one of the top areas customers told us they wanted improved," said Sarah Murphy, vice president of Global Operations Strategy, Planning and Design at United.
"We listened to customers and employees as we tested a variety of processes on thousands of flights until we found a better boarding process that results in less time spent waiting in lines, improved communication and a better way to recognize our Premier customers."
United’s MileagePlus Premier 1K customers will now be invited to pre-board and Premier Gold customers will be fast tracked from the current group two boarding group to group one.
United says this not only enhances the first to board perk for premium fliers but also better balances out the entire boarding process.
United’s military pre-boarding group which includes uniformed members of the military will be extended to allow all active duty military members to board early.
The new better boarding policy has been live in Los Angeles since earlier this year and is now available at over 1,000 gates across the globe, along with new signage.
