"Window Seat Passengers Board First" Policy Resumed by US Airline After Suspension

United Airlines "Efficiency Improvement"
Up to 2 Minutes Reduced in Pilot Operation

Major U.S. airline United Airlines has decided to implement a "window seat priority boarding" system to shorten passengers' boarding time. The airline stated that this method "saved up to 2 minutes."

According to ABC News and AP on the 18th (local time), United Airlines plans to introduce the "window seat priority boarding" system for economy class boarding on domestic flights and some international flights starting from the 26th.

The policy will proceed by boarding passengers who purchased window seat tickets in the general economy class first, followed by middle seats, and then aisle seats. However, families or companions who booked economy seats together can board together.

[Image source=Pixabay]

First class and business class passengers will retain their "priority boarding passes" and board before economy class as per the existing system. The "Basic Economy" fare, which is the lowest fare, will not be subject to this system and will board last. Additionally, people with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, active military personnel, and families traveling with children under 2 years old will also board first as before.

United Airlines stated, "After piloting this method on four domestic routes, we were able to save up to 2 minutes in boarding time."

United Airlines had previously introduced this system but discontinued it in 2017. However, with the upcoming winter holiday season, including Thanksgiving, year-end, and New Year's, when air travel surges and takeoff and landing delays are frequent, the airline decided to reintroduce the system to improve efficiency.

Meanwhile, airlines operate various boarding methods such as "random boarding," where passengers board in the order they line up regardless of seat, "back-to-front boarding," and "reverse pyramid boarding," which assigns boarding order by subdividing seats.

However, most airlines are known to prefer boarding passengers from the front seats first, which are more expensive. Generally, "priority boarding" is considered a benefit for passengers who purchase expensive tickets or use credit cards affiliated with the airline.