UA Insider

Hi everyone,

As we committed last fall, we have been looking closely at every aspect of our customers’ travel experience to see where we can improve and eliminate points of stress. Customers and employees pointed to the boarding process, just as many of you have, as an area where they wanted to see improvements; many shared that the boarding process for all customers would be smoother if we could accommodate families with infants earlier, as they often need more time to board.

All of us have experienced being the customer in the jet bridge tending to an infant, a diaper bag and a stroller – or to being the person in line to board behind that customer. Resuming pre-boarding for families with infants should provide a smoother process for everyone.

As a result, look for early boarding for families with children aged two and under beginning Monday, February 15, 2016. The new boarding process will be, in order: People with disabilities, active-duty members of the military in uniform, families with small children, and Global Services, followed by boarding groups 1-5.

Thank you,

-UA Insider

JVPhoto

First on, last off? If it's such a difficulty for them to board they shouldn't jump up in the aisle to deplane slowing that down either.

Kingston

Well, this oughta be fun.

LAXOGG

Never saw this one coming.

kit125

+1

Brucemcdou

I saw this on flights this weekend SFO-EWR-SJU-EWR-SFO. Several families with small children on the flights to/from San Juan. In both cases the GA's had apparently spoken with the families in advance and did not make a general announcement.

If they make it clear its only for infants and enforce it (as with all other aspects of the boarding process) seems like it should enhance the experience for everyone. I'd rather stand a little bit longer in the gate area for families to get to their seats and get settled, than stand on the jet bridge or in the aisles waiting. I assume the FA's are better able to assist them if they're the first on so should speed things up net/net.

(on edit) I agree with the comment that as a quid pro quo, the families should be politely asked to remain in their seats at deplaning to allow everyone else to get off. Same as has always been done for those with wheelchair assistance. Only makes sense and I'd think most parents would understand.

Overall I'd call this a plus! ^

riphamilton

is there any way boarding passes can be tagged if a child is under two? i'm assuming a DOB is required from all travelers, but that may not be the case.

that's an easy way to eliminate the confusion at the gate that this move to "eliminate points of stress" may actually create.

blueman2

I have no problem with this IF, and is SAY IF they really enforce the 2 year age limit. I see people coming on with 5-8 year olds on other airlines. Makes no sense.

LAXOGG

Therein lies the biggest problem.

rittenhousesq

On flights to leisure destinations such as MCO, that can be half the plane.

They should do boarding of families with children after boarding group 2.

LAXOGG

Yep....same as to the islands.

JVPhoto

Funny I saw a man get loud at SJU when they wouldn't pre-board him and his 5-7 year old son. He threw his bag on the ground and then the GA made him put it in the sizer it was too big and she made him gate check it.

I get if if a family has an infant and a bigger kid that's fine don't break them up or play hardball.
What I see sometimes is when a group of 7 (not joking) boarded together with one wheel chair.

timezone_trooper

Not happy about this - I foresee lax enforcement of the age limit and a general cluster at boarding time.

sb3

I thought it was only supposed to be one companion? And thus the enforcement problem.

porciuscato

Do you have a reference for that? I see this all the time. In fact, I rarely see only one companion boarding with the disabled person. It's typically 0 or 4.