United Airlines’ Better Boarding

United recently implemented a new boarding procedure worldwide, following a trial period at Los Angeles International Airport.

The Better Boarding process, as United is calling it, utilizes just two boarding lanes rather than the five that United had been using for more than five years.

Under the process, group 1 will board through lane 1 and group 2 will board through lane 2. Then, groups 3, 4 and 5 will board through lane 2 when called, while groups 1 and 2 may continue to board through lane one.

Along with the extensive trial in Los Angeles, United has been testing the new boarding procedure at scattered other airports since last fall. The carrier says the process results in passengers spending less time in line, which, in turn, de-clutters boarding areas.

Along with the reduction from five lanes to two, United is giving new boarding perks to frequent flyers. United MileagePlus Premier 1K customers can now pre-board, rather than boarding in group 1. Premier Gold customers have been moved by from group 2 to group 1. Also, pre-boarding is now offered to all active-duty military, not just to uniformed military.

Along with those changes, United has begun offering app users the option to receive push notifications when boarding begins. The carrier said it will eventually offer those notifications via text.

(source: Travel Weekly, 18SEP2018)