Boarding a plane can be confusing and frustrating. Every airline has a specific boarding process and so does United Airlines which makes boarding smooth. So know the United Airlines Boarding Groups for a streamlined experience.
That’s why the airline’s system clears the air when it comes to boarding the flight. For your convenience, the airline’s boarding groups are explained here. Thereby your journey from gate to plane is smooth and stress-free.
Now, go through the boarding approach of the airline. Learn about the boarding groups, who belongs in each, and how to board in a hassle-free manner.
What are United Airlines Boarding Groups?
Understanding the boarding groups that the airline has is easy. The airline boards all customers by group to simplify the boarding process. Your group number is mentioned on your boarding pass.
If you want to know how many boarding groups does United have, be informed that there are 6 numbered Groups and one Pre-Boarding Group.
Here is a quick look at the airline’s boarding groups with their respective information.
| Boarding Groups | Eligibility | Boarding the plane |
| Pre-boarding |
| |
| Group 1 |
| Boards through the blue lane |
| Group 2 |
| Boards through the green lane |
| Group 3 | Economy Plus or United Economy passengers in exit row or window seats | Board through the green lane when your boarding group is called |
| Group 4 | In middle seats for Economy Plus or United Economy travelers | |
| Group 5 | Economy Plus or United Economy passengers traveling in aisle seats | |
Group 6
| Travelers in Basic Economy and travelers who do not have a boarding group number listed on their boarding pass |
Please note
Contact the United Airlines customer service team for assistance. Alternatively, call +1-(860) 934-0441 (OTA) where agents are available in real-time to assist you.
How Does the United Airlines Boarding Procedure Work?
The United Airlines boarding process divides you into different groups for a stress-free experience. To know the boarding process of the airline, scroll down -
- Most flights start with the boarding process when 40-50 minutes are left before their scheduled takeoff.
- Flight doors close and the boarding process is over when 15 minutes are left before the flight’s departure
- To make sure boarding goes as smoothly as possible, go through the boarding groups, their eligibility, and more in the table above.
- Your group depends on your travel companions, ticket type, seat location, and MileagePlus status.
- If you are in a group and flying economy, you will get the earliest applicable boarding group.
Traveler Pro Tips
To make your boarding process a breeze, follow these smart tips -
- Know when to start boarding through your digital boarding pass. Start when you are called to board as per your group.
- Choose to get notified by text when the boarding gets started.
- To go for a better boarding group, add Priority Boarding to your booking.
- Adding Premier Access to your trip, enables you to get Priority Boarding automatically. This helps you get access to faster check-in and security lines.
What is the Priority Boarding of United Airlines?
With United, you get priority boarding, a service that allows you to board the plane with Group 2. This helps you with early access to overhead bins on select flights operated by United and United Express. To know more about it, go through the following points -
- The airline makes Priority Boarding available on select United and United Express flights internationally.
- If your flight offers Priority Boarding, you can add it to your United Economy or Economy Plus ticket.
- If the airline changes or cancels your flight, your Priority Boarding gets transferred to the new flight. In case you don’t want to transfer it, inform the airline before the flight’s departure and get a refund.
- For flights that aren’t rescheduled by the airline, you can get a refund within 24 hours of booking.
- If you modify your itinerary, Priority Boarding is transferred to the new flights as per the availability. If you cancel it, the airline doesn’t refund you for Priority Boarding.
How do you qualify for United Priority Boarding?
To be eligible for Priority Boarding on United Airlines flights, keep the following points in mind:
- Passengers having Basic Economy tickets cannot get Priority Boarding.
- You can buy Priority Boarding for one flight or your entire trip online in My Trips or on the United app. Priority Boarding may not be available on all flights. It is available for purchase for just yourself or for every person on your reservation.
- To get perks, “Priority Boarding” must be printed on your boarding pass.
- You can buy Priority Boarding for just yourself or for every person on your reservation.
Terms and conditions for United Airlines priority boarding
With Priority Boarding, you must follow the timeframe of the check-in process. The airline may change or end this offer anytime, with or without notice.
What Advantages and Disadvantages Come Along With Priority Boarding?
The airline’s Priority Boarding has its fair share of merits and demerits. Here are a few of those for your reference -
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Early access to overhead bins | Not available on all flights |
| Choose your preferred seats | No refund if you cancel |
| More time to settle in | Not available for Basic Economy |
| Avoid long lines |
How to Upgrade Your Boarding Group on United Airlines?
To upgrade United boarding groups, add Priority Boarding or Premier Access to your trip. To know more, proceed through the points mentioned below -
- Priority Boarding - Purchase Priority Boarding online in My Trips or on the United app.
- Premier Access - Add Premier Access to your trip to automatically get Priority Boarding and access to faster check-in as well as security lines
What is United Priority Boarding's Premium Access?
As the name suggests, United Airlines Premier Access brings you some premium features. In the points below you will get to know about who qualifies for Premier access, its benefits, and more.
Who gets Premier Access?
- MileagePlus Premier members
- Travelers in United Polaris business class, United First®, United Business, and United Premium Plus
- Star Alliance Gold members
- MileagePlus Club and Presidential Plus credit cardmembers
Customers who buy Premier Access
If you become a Premier member after buying your ticket, free Premier Access is available for you and anyone traveling along.
Buying Premier Access
Even if you are not a MileagePlus member or don’t have a Premium cabin booking, the airline allows you to buy Premier Access. Prices start at $24.
Benefits
- Priority Boarding - Be one of the first to board and get overhead space.
- Priority check-in - Avoid long check-in lines at the airport.
- Exclusive security lanes (if available) - Get through security quicker and with less stress.
- Priority bag handling - Be one of the first to receive your bag after the flight.
Please note
Get in touch with the airline's customer service team for more information. You can also, call +1-(860) 934-0441 (OTA) for prompt assistance.
In Conclusion
Therefore, the United Airlines Boarding Groups simplify the complex boarding processes. On most flights worldwide, the airline uses a 2-lane system. Knowing your place in this system simplifies your travel. Familiarize yourself with the procedures discussed so you can be ready and board with ease.
Make sure to stick to the guidelines and follow the methods, and you will be good to go. Furthermore, if you need assistance at any step of your booking, contact the airline’s customer service team.
So, understand your boarding group when traveling with the airline, upgrade your boarding group, or go for priority/premier boarding for a great experience.
