United Airlines Plans Priority Boarding For Window-Seat Economy Passengers To Save Time: Report

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. UAL reportedly plans to revolutionize its boarding process by granting priority to passengers in economy class who have opted for window seats, allowing them to board ahead of those in middle and aisle chairs to save time. 

This innovative change, slated to be implemented on October 26, has the potential to trim as much as two minutes from the boarding process for each flight, according to a news report by The New York Times, citing an internal memo shared. 

The fresh seating arrangement, referred to as WILMA (short for window-middle-aisle), passengers in economy class with window seats will be the first to board, followed by those with middle seats, and then individuals with aisle seats, it added. 

United has tested the WILMA method, which it first tried in 2017, at five airports and found it to be effective at reducing boarding times, according to the internal memo.

This alteration's impact will extend to domestic and select international flights. 

The boarding process will not change for first class and business class passengers, and the preboarding group will still include people with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, active-duty military, and families traveling with children two years old and under, The New York Times added.

Families traveling on the same flight will have the opportunity to board together.

Airlines, having bounced back from a decline in travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, frequently adjust their boarding procedures to enhance efficiency and increase earnings, read the report.

Meanwhile, in the recently reported Q3 results, total operating revenue increased 12.5% year-over-year to $14.48 billion, which beat the consensus estimate of $14.44 billion.

United sees fourth-quarter earnings of $1.50-$1.80 per share and revenue up 9.5% to 10%, depending on how long Tel Aviv flights are suspended.

Price Action: UAL shares are trading lower by 5.66% to $37.85 premarket on the last check Wednesday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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