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}
Nov 1, 2018, 9:43 am
#2176
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
That was not uncommon with the 319 before these latest changes (and was commonly cited as an example of F overheads filling before BG1 boarding). It's an especial problem if there are any crew bags up front.
Nov 1, 2018, 9:57 am
#2177
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,638
Gate 45 at SAN this morning (flight to DEN). I was observing from the next gate over:
The preboard order in the wiki was observed. The GA did very well, and didn't call the next "group" until the line in front of the podium was gone.
Then he called group 1, and then after that, groups 2 and 3 at the same time
which caused a mad dash for the podium from all the people sitting down.
As for my flight out of gate 44 to ORD, the GA called preboards up to GS, but did not call 1K. The Group 1 line was incredibly short so I don't think anyone was upset at the lack of 1K call (it was also entirely possible that there were no 1Ks on this flight. I snagged the last F seat on a last minute paid ticket, and none of the 14 people on the upgrade list cleared. There were maybe about half a dozen people in front of me in the Group 1 line so I'm assuming everyone else on the upgrade list is either GS or Silvers. Economy is completely full with a high school sports team taking up at least half the cabin)
The preboard order in the wiki was observed. The GA did very well, and didn't call the next "group" until the line in front of the podium was gone.
Then he called group 1, and then after that, groups 2 and 3 at the same time
which caused a mad dash for the podium from all the people sitting down.As for my flight out of gate 44 to ORD, the GA called preboards up to GS, but did not call 1K. The Group 1 line was incredibly short so I don't think anyone was upset at the lack of 1K call (it was also entirely possible that there were no 1Ks on this flight. I snagged the last F seat on a last minute paid ticket, and none of the 14 people on the upgrade list cleared. There were maybe about half a dozen people in front of me in the Group 1 line so I'm assuming everyone else on the upgrade list is either GS or Silvers. Economy is completely full with a high school sports team taking up at least half the cabin)
Nov 1, 2018, 6:36 pm
#2178
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
What should a 1K (or GS) do when they arrive after preboarding due to a delay? Do you get in the get in line at the back of the #1 line with Group 1,2? Do you cut infront of everyone?
In one case, I noticed a separate line next to the #1 line so I lined up behind them thinking it was the "late pre-boarding" line but they were standby passengers. In another case, I the line was short so I just got in line. In another case with a very long line, I made my BP "subtly visible" and the GA waived me over.
In one case, I noticed a separate line next to the #1 line so I lined up behind them thinking it was the "late pre-boarding" line but they were standby passengers. In another case, I the line was short so I just got in line. In another case with a very long line, I made my BP "subtly visible" and the GA waived me over.
Nov 1, 2018, 6:47 pm
#2179
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
LHR this morning. Perfect boarding with separate queues for GS, 1KS, group 1, group 2. Other preboard were in a separate area past the automated boarding pass scanners. I think LHR has the benefit of more space to spread people out plus very professional staff
Nov 1, 2018, 7:00 pm
#2180
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
In the last week, new boarding process was followed perfectly at MSY, IAD, & ZRH.
Nov 1, 2018, 7:06 pm
#2181
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,154
What should a 1K (or GS) do when they arrive after preboarding due to a delay? Do you get in the get in line at the back of the #1 line with Group 1,2? Do you cut infront of everyone?
In one case, I noticed a separate line next to the #1 line so I lined up behind them thinking it was the "late pre-boarding" line but they were standby passengers. In another case, I the line was short so I just got in line. In another case with a very long line, I made my BP "subtly visible" and the GA waived me over.
In one case, I noticed a separate line next to the #1 line so I lined up behind them thinking it was the "late pre-boarding" line but they were standby passengers. In another case, I the line was short so I just got in line. In another case with a very long line, I made my BP "subtly visible" and the GA waived me over.
If after pre-board and before group 2, join the end of the group 1 lane. After group 1 has boarded, if there are two lanes and no one is in one of the lanes I'll head to that lane. If there's not a actual lane, I'll join the end of the line. E.g. at ORD yesterday, I got wrapped up in work and left the UC at the boarding start time... by the time I got to E10 they were already boarding 1-4 and the gate only had one lane, so I just tagged on to the end of the line.
As much as I like to get onboard ASAP, at the end of the day the plane is still getting to its destination at the same time whether I'm #1 or #593 onboard and prefer to go the discreet route rather than elbow my way to the front.
Nov 1, 2018, 8:24 pm
#2182
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder
Posts: 692
EWR LAS on Sunday left out of C120. With construction nearby and walls around the gate on all 4 sides there was very little room. They used the recorded boarding process and, at least through BG1, it actually went smoothly.
LAS EWR yesterday had an excellent GA do it right with just the right pauses in the right spots. The 1K pre-board line was longer than BG1. I was in F on the 739 and had room for my carry-on, but a couple of pax boarded late and had to scramble to fit theirs in.
LAS EWR yesterday had an excellent GA do it right with just the right pauses in the right spots. The 1K pre-board line was longer than BG1. I was in F on the 739 and had room for my carry-on, but a couple of pax boarded late and had to scramble to fit theirs in.
Nov 2, 2018, 12:35 am
#2183
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,529
Terminal 2 gates are spacious, and yes, the LHR staff are excellent.
Nov 2, 2018, 1:21 am
#2184
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: 4,388
Speed boarding at LAX 75B this evening:
I don't know what the rush was -- we sat for an additional 30 minutes after scheduled departure time waiting for the inbound from HNL to give us 17 connecting pax!
I'd like to preboard our PassengersWithDisabiltiesMilitaryGlobalServicesFam iliesWithChildrenAnd1Ks.
Nov 2, 2018, 6:17 am
#2185
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
IMO, there's no such thing as "Late" pre-boarding -- once general boarding has started you can no longer board before general boarding
If after pre-board and before group 2, join the end of the group 1 lane. After group 1 has boarded, if there are two lanes and no one is in one of the lanes I'll head to that lane. If there's not a actual lane, I'll join the end of the line. E.g. at ORD yesterday, I got wrapped up in work and left the UC at the boarding start time... by the time I got to E10 they were already boarding 1-4 and the gate only had one lane, so I just tagged on to the end of the line.
As much as I like to get onboard ASAP, at the end of the day the plane is still getting to its destination at the same time whether I'm #1 or #593 onboard and prefer to go the discreet route rather than elbow my way to the front.
If after pre-board and before group 2, join the end of the group 1 lane. After group 1 has boarded, if there are two lanes and no one is in one of the lanes I'll head to that lane. If there's not a actual lane, I'll join the end of the line. E.g. at ORD yesterday, I got wrapped up in work and left the UC at the boarding start time... by the time I got to E10 they were already boarding 1-4 and the gate only had one lane, so I just tagged on to the end of the line.
As much as I like to get onboard ASAP, at the end of the day the plane is still getting to its destination at the same time whether I'm #1 or #593 onboard and prefer to go the discreet route rather than elbow my way to the front.
t
Nov 2, 2018, 11:06 am
#2186
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
IMO, there's no such thing as "Late" pre-boarding -- once general boarding has started you can no longer board before general boarding
If after pre-board and before group 2, join the end of the group 1 lane. After group 1 has boarded, if there are two lanes and no one is in one of the lanes I'll head to that lane. If there's not a actual lane, I'll join the end of the line. E.g. at ORD yesterday, I got wrapped up in work and left the UC at the boarding start time... by the time I got to E10 they were already boarding 1-4 and the gate only had one lane, so I just tagged on to the end of the line.
As much as I like to get onboard ASAP, at the end of the day the plane is still getting to its destination at the same time whether I'm #1 or #593 onboard and prefer to go the discreet route rather than elbow my way to the front.
If after pre-board and before group 2, join the end of the group 1 lane. After group 1 has boarded, if there are two lanes and no one is in one of the lanes I'll head to that lane. If there's not a actual lane, I'll join the end of the line. E.g. at ORD yesterday, I got wrapped up in work and left the UC at the boarding start time... by the time I got to E10 they were already boarding 1-4 and the gate only had one lane, so I just tagged on to the end of the line.
As much as I like to get onboard ASAP, at the end of the day the plane is still getting to its destination at the same time whether I'm #1 or #593 onboard and prefer to go the discreet route rather than elbow my way to the front.
On topic: generally this seems to be working out OK. The only major issues that I have observed coming up are (a) agents forgetting / not knowing the new script and (b) group 1 actually not forming a line at some outstations and instead just milling about, so that when some of the preboarders try to board everyone is confused about who is doing what.
Nov 2, 2018, 11:22 am
#2187
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Had speed boarding last week at LAX as well. Ended up boarding behind about 5 1Ks who elbowed their way to the front.
Nov 2, 2018, 3:55 pm
#2188
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
Last couple flights I was on, the GA said, "...now boarding 1k 100,000 mile flyers."
Maybe some people hear "1K" and think they're calling Group 1?
Maybe some people hear "1K" and think they're calling Group 1?
Nov 2, 2018, 5:51 pm
#2189
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,083
IAD- MSY Wednesday, they forgot to call 1K. I got in with Group 1, and was in F, so no problem. Return today, they did it right. I was only in PE so glad to get overhead space and to send some work emails before takeoff.