29 October 2023 , 21:44
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A United Airlines internal memo has revealed a brand new plan to help save time during the boarding process - but passengers are divided.
The problem, according to travellers, is that it may leave people fighting for overhead bin space - although UA claims they're in the process of fixing just that. The new plan would only affect those in economy, as all the other groups that usually board first will continue with that process.
Passengers looking to get to the back of the plane may experience the new approach. Called WILMA, the new process of boarding will go by seat: window, middle and then aisle seats, will board first, in that order. It is said to help shorten the time of departure.
A new policy has users complaining online - but will it really change that much? (Getty Images)"By doing this, we’re saving two minutes," Linda Jojo, United's chief customer service officer, said on TODAY. "So if we can get two minutes back on this flight and two minutes back on the next flight, we’re gonna help, especially those customers travelling later in the day to be closer on time."
The new policy is due to start on Oct. 26, leaving economy passengers with window seats boarding first "as Group 3, followed by passengers with middle seats in Group 4 and passengers in aisle seats in Group 5," the Chicago-based airline explained to employees in an internal memo.
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Of course, online travellers aired their grievances online: "As a window person, I don’t really think it’s that big of a deal," TikToker Leona Marlene said to FoxNews, whose account features travel tips and advice. "But I could see aisle people being a little bit bothered by this."
Where you sit may affect how quickly you board according to a new policy from Untied Airlines (Getty Images)Marlene did answer some commenters and go further to explain that "First/biz class, those with priority-boarding privileges - disabilities, active military, families with kids under 2 won’t experience any changes." Despite that, internet users complained about those exact things.
Other fliers complained that those who get to board first also get the most overhead bin room, which may lead to problems later on as everyone else comes aboard. To combat this, United Airlines told Fox Business, "it is in the process of retrofitting its aircraft with larger overhead bins that will have enough space for each customer to have a carry-on suitcase onboard."
Do you think the new policy will be successful at saving customers two minutes? (Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)"The larger bins are also available on all of United’s new aircraft. The updated storage capacity will 'largely eliminate the need for customers in later boarding groups to gate check their luggage,'" said United.
The company previously wanted to debut this plan back in 2017, but received enough backlash that they rethought the idea - clearly spending some time planning it out. The company said that customers on the same reservation will be allowed to board together - so families and friends will still be seated at the same time.