Jan 19, 2017, 11:05 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Source: United Boarding Process
We encourage you to make yourself comfortable while you wait for your group to be called, and we’ll let you know when we’re ready for you to board. Late arriving customers in Groups 1 and 2 are welcome to continue boarding through the blue lane at any time.
* Customers who have purchased a Basic Economy ticket will be in the last boarding group, except for Premier members, Chase Cardmembers of qualifying cards and Star Alliance Gold members, who will still receive their priority boarding.
================================================== ==============================
Pre Sept 2018 process
Pre-Boarding
General boarding (Window Seats, then Middle Seats, then Aisle)
Customers who have purchased a Basic Economy ticket will be in the last boarding group, with the exception of Premier members, Chase Cardmembers of qualifying cards and Star Alliance Gold members, who will still receive their priority boarding.
Note: If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.
Note: Self Boarding Gates are being tested at the following gates...
sUA Boarding Times by Aircraft (AFA)
Previous thread: United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [Revised, May 2013]
New changes (effective 18 Sept 2018)
You will see some new boarding lane signs in the gate area that will guide you through the boarding process. There will now be two lanes that are color coded : to begin, Group 1 will board through the blue lane and Group 2 will board through the green lane. The remaining Groups 3-5 will then board through the green lane when called, and Groups 1 and 2 can continue to board through the blue lane .We encourage you to make yourself comfortable while you wait for your group to be called, and we’ll let you know when we’re ready for you to board. Late arriving customers in Groups 1 and 2 are welcome to continue boarding through the blue lane at any time.
Boarding groups
Pre-boarding
- Unaccompanied minors
- Customers with disabilities
- Active members of the military
- United Global Services® members
- Families traveling with children age 2 and younger
- Premier® 1K® members
Group 1
- Premier Platinum members
- Premier Gold members
- Star Alliance™ Gold members
- Customers seated in premium cabins: United Polaris®, United First® and United Business®
Group 2
- Premier Silver members
- Star Alliance Silver members
- Customers who have purchased Premier Access® or Priority Boarding
- United℠ Explorer, Club, Presidential Plus℠ and Awards Cardmembers
Groups 3 – 5
- Economy Plus®
- United Economy®
- Basic Economy*
* Customers who have purchased a Basic Economy ticket will be in the last boarding group, except for Premier members, Chase Cardmembers of qualifying cards and Star Alliance Gold members, who will still receive their priority boarding.
Pre Sept 2018 process
Pre-Boarding
- Unaccompanied minors
- Customers with disabilities
- Uniformed members of the U.S. military
- Families traveling with children age two and younger
- United Global Services® members
- Group 1: Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, Business/Polaris Business, and First/Polaris First.
- Group 2: Premier Gold, Star Gold, Premier Silver, Star Silver, MileagePlus Presidential Plus, Club, Explorer and Awards, purchased Premier Access
General boarding (Window Seats, then Middle Seats, then Aisle)
- Group 3 - Window Seats
- Group 4 - Middle & Aisle Seats (Aisle Seats on UA Express)
- Group 5 - Basic Economy
Customers who have purchased a Basic Economy ticket will be in the last boarding group, with the exception of Premier members, Chase Cardmembers of qualifying cards and Star Alliance Gold members, who will still receive their priority boarding.
Note: If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.
Note: Self Boarding Gates are being tested at the following gates...
- IAH - Gate C25/C26 - See Post 2960, Includes YouTube video from CO777DAL
- IAH - Gate E4 - Old test from pmCO days, See Thread Here
- BOS - Self boarding gates are now back in *LIMITED* use at least at gates B25 and B26
sUA Boarding Times by Aircraft (AFA)
Previous thread: United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [Revised, May 2013]
United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [2016-forward]{Archive}
Sep 17, 2018, 4:57 pm
#1171
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,880
“ If you prefer to spend your time away from the gate, you can now opt in to receive a United app notification that lets you know boarding has started”
Right. I got that notification 5 minutes after I took my seat today.
Right. I got that notification 5 minutes after I took my seat today.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:05 pm
#1172
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
Great news. Now I can feel comfortable letting my status drop to Gold (1MM) next year. Less difference between Plat and Gold.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:06 pm
#1173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Paid non-status non-upgrader F is now Group 7, which is a further devaluation of the United First® product, enticing less people to book using domestic F fares, which will result in only INTL and upgraders willing to pay for domestic F, which will increase its "upgrader-cabin" reputation, which will result in further devaluation.
First of all, I'm in the "I'd rather board last" camp, and I'm not even a United Club member. But, second -- what "upgrader-cabin" reputation? UA is selling more first class tickets than ever before, as evidenced by the complaints about long upgrade lists and low clearance rates for upgrades. I find it really hard to believe that people will stop buying F instead of Y because they'll be slightly later to board the plane. And, while I understand there are some people on this thread who are talking about booking away, I don't think it's going to have a huge effect myself. Most people will take schedule and convenience over how early they get to board; they may just grumble a bit boarding.
Reason 999,999 why they should prefer to board last, rather than first.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:10 pm
#1174
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
It is official - just got email announcing that 1K pre-boards before group 1.
Beginning September 18, we’re unveiling boarding enhancements — designed to improve your overall experience when boarding — at every airport across our system. We’ve been focused on a better boarding experience and want to let you know about a few key enhancements you’ll notice.
No need to line up before your group is called: As a United MileagePlus® Premier® 1K® member, you’re now part of the pre-boarding group and will board even earlier – before Group 1.
No need to line up before your group is called: As a United MileagePlus® Premier® 1K® member, you’re now part of the pre-boarding group and will board even earlier – before Group 1.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:12 pm
#1175
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
What?!
First of all, I'm in the "I'd rather board last" camp, and I'm not even a United Club member. But, second -- what "upgrader-cabin" reputation? UA is selling more first class tickets than ever before, as evidenced by the complaints about long upgrade lists and low clearance rates for upgrades.
First of all, I'm in the "I'd rather board last" camp, and I'm not even a United Club member. But, second -- what "upgrader-cabin" reputation? UA is selling more first class tickets than ever before, as evidenced by the complaints about long upgrade lists and low clearance rates for upgrades.
No, and I don't believe it is that complex. UA wouldn't be the first *A airline to give additional perks to pax who buy genuine F fares. It may be a good way to keep the premium cabin from being devalued. Fare-based differential has already been a thing with UA since the introduction of PQD.
Sure, if you can guarantee that there is overhead bin space available for them, then you have a valid point.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:14 pm
#1176
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Orange County, CA (SNA)
Programs: AA ConciergeKey | UA Plat | UA 2M Miler | Marriott Plat | Hilton Gold | Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26
Sep 17, 2018, 5:14 pm
#1177
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
They should have moved FC up to Pre-Boards as well, behind GS/1K's but before family boarding.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:14 pm
#1178
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX & EWR/JFK
Programs: Fomerly UA 1K, now Gold... next year, who knows?
Posts: 1,432
Sep 17, 2018, 5:24 pm
#1179
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,389
Learn about some new enhancements.
To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add
[email protected] to your address book.
[email protected] to your address book.
MileagePlus # XXXXXXXX
Wxguy, better boarding is here.
Wxguy, better boarding is here.
Introducing: Better boarding
Beginning September 18, we’re unveiling boarding enhancements — designed to improve your overall experience when boarding — at every airport across our system. We’ve been focused on a better boarding experience and want to let you know about a few key enhancements you’ll notice.
■
No need to line up before your group is called: Simplified lanes – now only two – with new signs will allow you to sit back and relax at the gate or spend more time within the airport.
No need to line up before your group is called: Simplified lanes – now only two – with new signs will allow you to sit back and relax at the gate or spend more time within the airport.
■
Less crowding: Since we’re saying so long to five lanes and simplifying to two, there’s more space and easier access to the boarding door for customers exiting the plane from the previous flight and during pre-boarding.
Less crowding: Since we’re saying so long to five lanes and simplifying to two, there’s more space and easier access to the boarding door for customers exiting the plane from the previous flight and during pre-boarding.
■
Improved digital displays and boarding communication: Monitors around the gate will display clear and relevant information about boarding and your flight. If you prefer to spend your time away from the gate, you can now opt in to receive a United app notification that lets you know boarding has started.*
Improved digital displays and boarding communication: Monitors around the gate will display clear and relevant information about boarding and your flight. If you prefer to spend your time away from the gate, you can now opt in to receive a United app notification that lets you know boarding has started.*
Thank you for being a United MileagePlus® member, and we look forward to seeing you on board soon.
Learn more ›
Last edited by wxguy; Sep 17, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Sep 17, 2018, 5:27 pm
#1180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Further, you're going to have people complaining because their TOD to "First Class" didn't give them access to this particular "First Class" perk.
Personally, as someone who prefers to spend less money rather than more, I am quite happy that UA doesn't try to discriminate against various groups of J/F passengers (e.g., removing Polaris access for upgraded passengers).
The domestic F cabin has rarely been worth the price to me. I'm happy to accept upgrades, but that's because I value the experience at far less than what they want to charge for it. I'd consider paying for F on a lie-flat route or a red-eye. I can't fathom doing it for any other flight.
Indeed, that's the rub, and I contend that UA continues to shuffle between boarding strategies simply because they don't have enough overhead space for everyone. But I've never actually had to check my carry-on, despite being the last person on the plane on multiple occasions. FAs are usually pretty good about finding space for F passengers. Sometimes I might have to go back a few rows after landing to get it, but I can deal with that.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:28 pm
#1181
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,597
It's like this:
I don't think alienating paid FC customers is what they are striving to accomplish...but it's what they are doing....
I don't think alienating paid FC customers is what they are striving to accomplish...but it's what they are doing....
Sep 17, 2018, 5:30 pm
#1182
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
But hay, they went back to the sUA boarding appraoch, which is good, the 5 zone SouthWest Cattle car boarding was a sad joke. Or I guess I could say that they just copied Delta, which has two lanes, which work just fine, with a lot less gate chaos than the current (now old...) UA approach.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:35 pm
#1183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,717
Works for me, even though I may drop back to Plat next year. Though hopefully they will relegate families behind G1 where they belong (and similar to the placement on WN). And now that I am Lifetime 1MM, it would be great to see Gold move up to G1 and thus ahead of the credit card customers. Of course at SFO you have filled 3/4 of plane by the time you get to G3.
Concur but only if they reserve overhead. Families usually have lots of carryon (diaper bags etc) and shouldn't be penalized into G5. Personally I would prefer to see F board last as is common in other countries, but that would require FAs to zealously guard overhead bins for F, which I don't see happening. But it is annoying that I have to waste time lining up and then waiting 30m for the rest of the plane to board, just so I can ensure I get overhead space. Adds up over time.
It's unpopular to say it, but once again, the folk who take longest to board and hold everyone else up while they're doing it — people with disabiities and those with small children — should board last, when they can take all the time they need without blocking the jetbridge and aisle(s) of the plane.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:36 pm
#1184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
On hub-to-hub routes, this is likely to irritate some people, although, practically speaking, being behind 50 people in line (at the end of Old Group 1) and 70 people in line (at the end of New Group 1) isn't really that different. But, people fly UA hub-to-hub for a reason -- either they're locked into UA because they also fly other routes, or they prefer the schedule flexibility they get when flying hub-to-hub. On non-hub-to-hub routes, there just aren't that many 1Ks.
I suppose they might lose some passengers to AA for ORD flights -- but, realistically, people who are flying SFO-IAD, DEN-EWR, LAX-IAH, etc. are going to fly UA the vast majority of the time.
Sep 17, 2018, 5:41 pm
#1185
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
Am I hallucinating? Is this the old pre-merger UA boarding policy which was discarded so forcefully that they auctioned off all the red carpets? Why the turnaround?
