If you’re a United Economy passenger who prefers a window seat, you’re in luck! United Airlines has reintroduced its WILMA boarding process, a system designed to speed up boarding by prioritizing passengers seated at the window before those in the middle and aisle seats.<\/p>\n
This updated boarding process is aimed at reducing congestion, streamlining boarding, and improving efficiency. But does it really help travelers, or does it just shift inconveniences around? Here\u2019s everything you need to know about United\u2019s WILMA boarding process.<\/p>\n
WILMA stands for:<\/strong> This method minimizes seat blocking, as passengers aren\u2019t forced to move for others to reach their seats. The goal? Faster boarding and fewer delays.<\/p>\n United reintroduced WILMA on October 26, 2023, after previously discontinuing it in 2017 when Basic Economy fares were introduced. At that time, United cited carry-on limitations as the reason for dropping the process.<\/p>\n Now, United claims that bringing WILMA back will cut boarding times by two minutes per flight, helping improve on-time departures.<\/p>\n Updated United Boarding Groups<\/p>\n \u2714 Window seat travelers in Economy<\/strong> \u2013 They get to board before aisle and middle seat passengers, ensuring they get overhead bin space and can settle in first. \u274c Aisle seat travelers<\/strong> \u2013 They board last in Economy, increasing the risk of running out of overhead bin space. \ud83d\udca1 Tip<\/strong>: If you prefer an aisle seat but want to board earlier, consider purchasing priority boarding (Premier Access) or selecting a window seat when booking.<\/p>\n United lets groups board together if they\u2019re on the same ticket. That means: One of the biggest complaints from travelers is running out of overhead bin space. With WILMA, aisle seat passengers (Group 5) board last, increasing their risk of having to check carry-ons at the gate.<\/p>\n To address this, United is upgrading aircraft with larger overhead bins, a process expected to be completed by 2026.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca1 Tip<\/strong>: If overhead bin space is a priority, consider: Q. Does WILMA affect frequent flyer perks?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ans<\/strong>. No. Elite status passengers (Premier members, Star Alliance elites, and credit card holders) still board in Groups 1 and 2, before general Economy passengers.<\/p>\n Q. Can I still sit in an aisle seat and board early?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ans<\/strong>. Not unless you qualify for Group 1 or 2. Aisle seat passengers board in Group 5, so if you want to board earlier, consider choosing a window seat or purchasing priority boarding.<\/p>\n Q. Will families with young kids be impacted?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ans<\/strong>. Families with children under 2 can still pre-board, so they won\u2019t be affected.<\/p>\n Q. Will this actually make boarding faster?<\/strong><\/p>\n Ans<\/strong>. United says WILMA shaves two minutes off boarding time. While it may not seem like much, over time, it helps improve on-time departures.<\/p>\n \u2705 Pros<\/strong>: \u274c Cons<\/strong>: Final Verdict<\/strong>: If you prefer window seats, this policy works in your favor. But if you’re an aisle seat traveler who values early boarding, you might need to rethink your seat selection.<\/p>\n What do you think of United\u2019s WILMA boarding process? Does it make flying more efficient, or just shift the inconvenience to aisle seat travelers? Let us know your thoughts! \u2708\ufe0f<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you’re a United Economy passenger who prefers a window seat, you’re in luck! United Airlines has reintroduced its WILMA boarding process, a system designed to speed up boarding by prioritizing passengers seated at the window before those in the middle and aisle seats. This updated boarding process is aimed at reducing congestion, streamlining boarding,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[105,155,127],"class_list":["post-787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel_tips","tag-airlines","tag-boarding-policy","tag-united-airlines"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\u2714 Window seat passengers board first
\n\u2714 Middle seat passengers board next
\n\u2714 Aisle seat passengers board last<\/p>\nWhen Did United Airlines Bring Back WILMA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How Does United\u2019s New Boarding Process Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n Boarding Group<\/strong><\/td>\n Who Boards?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n Pre-boarding<\/strong><\/td>\n Customers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, active-duty military, Global Services members, families with children under 2, Premier 1K members<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Group 1<\/strong><\/td>\n United Polaris Business, United First, United Business, Premier Platinum, Premier Gold, Star Alliance Gold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Group 2<\/strong><\/td>\n Premier Silver, Star Alliance Silver, select Chase credit card holders, Paid Premier Access passengers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Group 3<\/strong><\/td>\n Economy passengers with window seats<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Group 4<\/strong><\/td>\n Economy passengers with middle seats<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Group 5<\/strong><\/td>\n Economy passengers with aisle seats<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Group 6<\/strong><\/td>\n Basic Economy passengers with carry-on restrictions<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Who Benefits Most from WILMA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2714 Passengers who want a smoother boarding experience<\/strong> \u2013 Fewer seat disruptions, meaning less getting up for other passengers to pass through.
\n\u2714 Frequent flyers and premium passengers<\/strong> \u2013 Their priority boarding benefits remain unchanged.<\/p>\nWho Might Be Disadvantaged by WILMA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u274c Travelers who like boarding together<\/strong> \u2013 If you\u2019re in separate seat types (one window, one aisle), you may have to board at different times unless on the same reservation.
\n\u274c Last-minute bookers<\/strong> \u2013 If you book late and get an aisle seat, you could board last, making it harder to find good luggage storage.<\/p>\nWhat If You\u2019re Traveling in a Group?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2714 If you’re traveling with someone who qualifies for a higher boarding group, you can board with them.
\n\u2714 Example: If your partner is active-duty military, and you’re on the same reservation, you both pre-board.<\/p>\nOverhead Bin Space Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2714 Selecting a window seat (Group 3) for earlier boarding
\n\u2714 Purchasing priority boarding (Premier Access)
\n\u2714 Packing light to avoid gate-checking your bag<\/p>\nFAQs About United Airlines\u2019 WILMA Boarding Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Final Thoughts: Is United\u2019s WILMA Boarding Good for Travelers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2714 Speeds up boarding by reducing seat disruptions
\n\u2714 Benefits window seat passengers who board early
\n\u2714 Keeps priority boarding benefits for frequent flyers<\/p>\n
\n\u274c Aisle seat passengers board last and may run out of overhead bin space
\n\u274c Travelers who prefer boarding together may need to adjust<\/p>\n