Are you travelling with United Airlines? If yes, then you must understand that United Airlines has seven boarding groups starting from preboarding and continuing through Groups 1 to 6. The airline follows an ordered boarding process. Therefore, your boarding group decides when you will board the flight. United Airlines decides the boarding group by assessing factors like ticket type, seat location, person travelling and MileagePlus status.The information below will help you learn more about how United Airlines boarding groups work.
How Many Boarding Groups Are There on United Airlines?
United Airlines has seven boarding groups in total. The groups start from Preboarding and continue to Group 1 to 6. Accordingly, airline allows boarding in an order after analysing factors such as
- Passenger type,
- Ticket type,
- Seat location, and
- MileagePlus status.
Passengers can find the boarding group mentioned on the boarding pass. It is also available in the United app.
What is the Boarding Order on United Airlines?
United Airlines follows a structured boarding order. To simplify the boarding process, airlines board passengers by group. Passengers can find their group number on their boarding pass. According to that, the boarding order on United Airlines will be following:
| Boarding Group | Eligibility |
| Pre-boarding |
|
| Group 1 |
|
| Group 2 |
|
| Group 3 |
|
| Group 4 |
|
| Group 5 |
|
| Group 6 |
|
Note: Basic Economy ticket board last (Group 6) unless they are a Premier member, a qualifying Chase Cardmember, or a Star Alliance Gold member.
How Boarding Groups Work on United Airlines?
Once you get your boarding group, wait for an announcement from the gate agent to begin boarding. The airline recommends you to stay seated till you listen to your boarding group. You can check the screen fixed at the gate area to see what group is currently boarding.
Later, you will see two boarding lanes marked as blue and green signs in the gate area. The signs will also have labelling that indicates which group will board through which lane.
For More understanding, check the table below:
| Boarding Group | Lane |
| Preboarding | Use Blue sign lane |
| Group 1 | Boards through the blue lane. |
| Group 2 | Boards through the green lane. |
| Group 3 – 6 | Board through the green lane once the gate agent announces the boarding group. |
When Does Boarding Start on United Airlines Flights?
The boarding process on United begins 40 to 50 minutes before departure. It remains open till 15 minutes before departure. You can also check United Airlines boarding process page to ensure that your onboarding goes smoothly. Also, try to arrive early to avoid delays in the process.
Who Qualifies for United Priority Boarding?
Priority boarding on United Airlines is available for
- Passengers who get it as benefit or
- Buy it as an add on service.
Accordingly, following passengers qualify for United priority boarding:
- Passengers flying in United Polaris®, United First®, or United Business® cabins.
- Customers who bought Premier Access®, which comes with Priority Boarding as its benefits.
- Eligible MileagePlus® Premier members, depending on their status level.
- Passengers who have eligible United credit cards that provide priority boarding on selected flights.
- Eligible Star Alliance™ elite members.
- Passengers who have bought Priority Boarding separately
How Can I Purchase Priority Boarding on United?
You can easily purchase United Airlines priority boarding through its website or app:
- Visit the Official United Airlines Website
- Go to “My Trips” section
- Then, enter your booking confirmation number and last name to log in
- Check for Priority Boarding availability on selected flights.
- Finally, add priority boarding and finish payment.
- Later, your boarding pass will show “Priority Boarding,” and the airline will allow you in Group on selected flights.
Note: You can follow the same process on United Airlines application to buy priority boarding.
What Boarding Group Do Basic Economy Passengers Get?
Basic Economy passengers usually get Boarding Group 6, the last boarding group. However, they can board earlier depending on boarding privileges, if
- They are eligible MileagePlus Premier members
- Or Qualified United credit cardholders
- Or Star Alliance elite members
Who is Eligible for United Airlines Pre Boarding?
According to United Airlines boarding process, the following passengers are eligible for Pre-boarding:
- United Global Services® members
- Passengers with disabilities
- Unaccompanied minors
- Premier 1K® members
- Active-duty U.S. military members
- Anyone travelling with children aged 2 or younger
Does United use WILMA Boarding?
Yes. United Airlines uses the WILMA (Window, Middle, Aisle) boarding for Economy passengers. Passengers with window seats (including exit row seats) board in Group 3 after preboarding and priority groups. Middle seat passengers board in Group 4. Aisle seat passengers board in Group 5. Basic Economy passengers usually board last in Group 6, except when they qualify for an earlier group.
WILMA approach helps the airline to reduce aisle congestion and allows passengers to reach their seats easily with fewer interruptions.
Note: United Airlines does not officially announce that it follows WILMA for the boarding process, but its boarding sequence says the same.
How to Upgrade Your Boarding Group on United?
You can upgrade your United boarding group through any of the following:
Purchase Priority Boarding
You can purchase priority boarding by visiting the My Trips section on United Airlines website or United App. Check it, printed on your boarding pass to get the complete benefit.
Premier Access
United Airlines automatically includes priority boarding when passengers buy tickets in Premier Access.
Travel in Premium Cabin
You can upgrade your boarding group and get earlier boarding as part of your ticket benefits if you fly in United Polaris®, United First®, or United Business®.
Earn MileagePlus Premier Status
Become one of the Premier members with United Airlines and receive priority boarding depending on your elite status.
Eligible United Credit Card
Hold eligible United MileagePlus credit cards to upgrade your boarding group and get on the plane faster.
Conclusion
United Airlines has made boarding easier by organising it into seven boarding groups starting from Preboarding to Group 6. Each passenger gets a group assigned by airline and board flight accordingly. The boarding group differs with ticket type, seat location, and MileagePlus status.
Knowing the boarding group in advance helps avoid confusion at the gate. Passengers can also qualify for earlier boarding through Premium status, eligible credit card or by purchasing Priority Boarding. Therefore, review boarding pass in advance for assigned group before flight.
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