United Airlines Is Changing Its Boarding Process

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

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Flyers covet the window seat for many reasons, and now you can add another to the list: getting to board first on United Airlines. Starting October 26, the carrier will change its boarding process to allow window-seat passengers in economy class to board before passengers in the middle and aisle seats, according to an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post.

Interior of empty ready to fly airliner cabin with rows of seats. — *Pakphipat | Adobe Stock*Pakphipat | Adobe Stock

The new process will allow passengers to board in the following order:

Customers who need additional time to board
First-class and business-class passengers
Window and exit row seats
Middle seats
Aisle seats
Basic economy passengers

United Airlines officials hope the new process will save time during boarding, as aisle seat passengers won’t have to get up and block the aisle to let the window and middle seat passengers in their row sit down.

With increasingly packed overhead compartments, getting to board in the first few groups can make the difference between bringing aboard your carry-on or being forced to gate-check it—so if you’re concerned about getting your bag on the plane, make sure you choose a window seat next time you fly United.

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