United implemented a new boarding procedure worldwide on
Tuesday, 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, declutters 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.