New Boarding Process

Until UA offers the cheapest fare again...

I can't imagine UA is too concerned about losing customers because they boarded last.

Most of the non-elites on CO were boarding toward the last of the process too. They also are near the end on every other airline.

I noticed on my last to UA-operated flights that GS were invited together with military to board first.

Agreed, giving everyone (nearly) a boarding group is so much more logical. It always bothered my math brain that group one wasn't really the first group.

I agree -- eight+ is just too many. I think I would have lumped

• Boarding Group 4: Presidential Plus cardmembers
• Boarding Group 5: Mileage Plus Explorer and OnePass Plus cardmembers

into one group or maybe the Presidential Plus members into group 3 as there are probably not that many on any given flight (especially PP card members who are NOT also elite members).

That combination does make perfect sense. And, the elite population does remove a very large number of passengers from boarding groups 4 and 5, as there's probably a very large number of group 5 people who have elite status (I personally fall into that category).

Also makes me wonder how much of a "benefit" it will be perceived as by non-elite passengers when UA offers them the Explorer card with exclusive "Boarding Group 5 access"

It is a definite benefit when you could have been in group 8 instead.

Yes, but it doesn't sell well, I think

If book a seat in the back you can take overhead space, regardless. I might just go back to using my pps card?

I like this a lot!! Thank you Shannon.

Thanks for the update Shannon, which groups will be eligible for "carpet" boarding?

Will boarding group 1

Boarding Group 1: Premium cabin, 1K and Platinum Elite customers

continue to have Premier 1K and Premier Platinum after the new status levels and MP program become effective?

It's a perception thing. With the old CO process Board F, Elites, then by row. They were the third group. Now they are the 8th group. They will feel unloved by the brick. They get angry at elites too don't you know. Without the non-elites we'd be flying in CRJ200's instead since we need them to fill the rest of the seats on larger aircraft.

Thanks for the update, Shannon.

This will make announcements so much more user friendly!!

Yes. Everyone should be able to read the big fat number, even if they don't know what their elite status is.

Doesn't mean that there won't be a cloud of people around the boarding lane.

Gate lice is gate lice... That will always be a part of the fun and romance of travel.

Yes, as long as the script focuses on the number, rather than a detailed explanation of what the number means.

I would hope they limit the "carpet" boarding to just group 1.

They're not.

OK, I would agree this is fair as I think FF'ers should go before CC holders. And, most everyone should be able to read a big number on their BP which they should board with. Let's watch the fun in a month or so

As someone who thinks granting holders of co-branded CC's priority boarding is ridiculous to begin with, I agree wholeheartedly; further delineating those cardholders into yet another boarding group is just getting out of control. Understand CO mgmt does things a touch differently, but I did not realize I was going to be flying United Chase Airlines after the merger...

As long as they put the boarding group on the boarding pass, it should make things easier. Knowing that I am in group 4 (as per boarding pass) is much easier then relying on the 'elite access' on the BP. I don't see any issue with combing groups 4/5 (even though I am a PP holder) .

I think a group 4.5 is needed for those with the old EQM-earning UA MP cards.

At the end of the day, it will all come down to execution. If the script focuses on numbers, then a majority of people will be able to follow it. Non-elites will always complain about not being treated the same as elites and nothing is going to change that.

Maybe they could put a red carpet down for the regular boarding line, to make them feel better.