Have you made a reservation with United Airlines and now are confused about its boarding process? Don’t worry as the given article will clear all your confusion and you can make your reservations with United airlines stress-free. United Airlines uses 7 boarding groups : Pre-boarding and numbered groups from 1 to 6. Each traveler will be assigned to a boarding group based on their travel class and route.
How Does United Airlines Boarding Groups Work?
To know How do United Airlines’ Boarding Groups Work, all you need to be aware of is the information below.
Once you reach the United Airport, you will see different signs that will guide you where you have to line up. It will be easy to line up for group 1 and group 2. However, they will ask the passengers to have seats for group 3 through group 5.
United Airlines’ airports have color differentiation which helps passengers to line up to the lane which is blue and green in color. Group 1 passengers have to pass through the blue lane. Group 2 passengers have to pass through the green lane. Whereas, Group 3 to Group 5 passengers have to pass through the green lane and they will be called by the airline’s officials.
If you are flying for the first time with United, it’s far recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure so that you can effortlessly board the flight.
How many Boarding Groups does United Airlines Have?
If you have booked your next trip, it is important for you to be aware of how many boarding groups does United have. The airline uses a group boarding procedure, with Groups 1 through 6 depending on fare class and elite status coming after pre-boarding for members of United Global Services, uniformed military, and special assistance. Premier Platinum, Gold, and Silver members, and passengers in the VIP class are included in Groups 1 and 2.
To know more about the United Airlines boarding groups, take a glance at the complete article.
Here is the table format for United Airlines boarding groups:
| Boarding Group | Description |
| Pre-Boarding | Customers with disabilities, active-duty military, and families with young children (under 2 years old). |
| Group 1 | United Global Services members, Premier 1K, and Business/First Class passengers. |
| Group 2 | Premier Platinum, Premier Gold, and Star Alliance Gold members. |
| Group 3 | Premier Silver members and United Explorer, United Club cardholders. |
| Group 4 | Economy Plus customers and MileagePlus credit cardholders. |
| Group 5 | General boarding for United Economy passengers seated towards the rear of the plane. |
| Group 6 | General boarding for United Economy passengers seated in the middle section of the plane. |
| Group 7 | General boarding for United Economy passengers seated towards the front of the plane. |
| Group 8 | Basic Economy passengers who do not qualify for earlier boarding groups. |
Check out Detailed Information on United Airlines Boarding Groups!
If you are unsure of which group you will be assigned based on your travel class, read the information below.
Pre Boarding
- Families taking trips with kids under the age of two
- Members of United Global Services
- Unaccompanied children
- Clients with impairments
- Members of the U.S. military in uniform
Group 1
- Business United
- United First
- Premier Platinum members,
- Premier Gold members
- Star Alliance Gold members
- United Polaris
Group 2
- United Club Card (no longer accepting new applications), United Club Business Card, United Club Infinite Card, MileagePlus® Awards Card,
- United Presidential Plus Card (no longer accepting new applications)
- United Quest Card
- Premier Silver members Clients that have purchased Priority Boarding
- Star Alliance Silver members
- Priority or access boarding
- Premier Access Credit cardholders of Chase United who possess a United Explorer Card,
Groups 3
- Seats in the window or exit row
- Economy or Economy Plus travelers
Group 4
Economy passengers Middle-seating economy or economy plus passengers
Group 5
Passengers are seated in aisles in economy or economy, plus travelers.
Group 6
- Basic Economy passengers will be seated without a boarding group number.
This is how United Airlines assigns group boarding to passengers based on the travel classes they choose at the time of reservation.
What is the Recent Change in the United’s Boarding Groups?
The new changes in the United Airlines boarding group will only affect economy-class travelers. There are no changes from pre-boarding to group 2. In order to board customers with window seats first, then those with middle seats, and finally those with aisle seats, groups three through five have been divided. Additionally, all basic economy travelers on prices without full-size carry-ons can now travel in a new Group 6.
Here’s detailed information.
Group 3
- Window seats
- Exit row seats
- Non Revenue travelers
Group 4
Middle seats
Group 5
Aisle seats
Group 6
Basic economy customers
How one Gets Priority Boarding at United Airlines?
You can get Priority boarding on United in a variety of ways, some of which are more expensive than others.
Go in a Premium Cabin.
Flying in a premium cabin, such as United Polaris, first or business class, is one of our favorite ways to get priority boarding on United. You will always board with Group 1 if you are traveling in a United premium cabin.
Keep a valid United Credit Card.
- One of the benefits of the following United credit cards is priority boarding:
- The Explorer Card from United.
- The United Quest℠ Card.
- Infinite Card of United Club.
- Business Card for United.
- The business card of United Club.
The United Gateway℠ Card is the only United credit card that does not offer priority boarding. You can board with Group 2 if you have a United credit card with priority boarding.
Get elite status in the United or Star Alliance.
Having Star Alliance elite status or United Premier level entitles you to priority boarding. United Platinum, United Gold, and Star Alliance Gold members board with Group 1, whereas United Global Services and Premier 1K members board with the pre-boarding group. Members of United and Star Alliance Silver who board with Group 2 come next.
Pay Priority Boarding Fees.
On some flights, United lets you pay for priority boarding if none of the aforementioned choices work for you; the cost starts at $15 per aircraft segment. You will board with Group 2 if you pay for priority boarding.
If you want to get early boarding at United, choose one of the methods discussed above.
Including so, you may also connect with a certified travel expert and ask them about the same information. The instant way to get in touch with them is to dial the airline’s customer service number.
Winding up the Article!
We have come to the end of this informative guide regarding the United Airlines boarding groups. Now, we hope that your confusion regarding the boarding processes is clear in this blog. If you still want to know more about the same, it would be best to call a Grouptripgo travel-certified agent its customer service phone number 24/7.
