United Airlines is significantly changing its boarding process, moving away from the traditional group numbers (Group 1, Group 2, etc.) to a more descriptive system emphasizing the fare class and loyalty status of passengers. Starting October 26, 2023, passengers will now see categories like “Preboarding,” “United Global Services,” “United Premier 1K,” “United Polaris,” “United First,” “United Premium Plus,” “United Premier Gold,” “United Premier Silver,” “Star Alliance Gold,” “United Explorer Cardholders,” “United Business,” “United Economy Plus,” and “United Economy.”
This shift aims to improve clarity and transparency for passengers, making it immediately obvious why someone is boarding earlier than others. Instead of ambiguous group numbers, passengers will readily understand boarding priorities based on factors like premium fare purchase, elite status, or United co-branded credit card ownership.
The preboarding group, for passengers needing assistance, will remain unchanged. The new system is designed to streamline the boarding experience and reduce confusion, allowing passengers to quickly identify their boarding priority and understand their place in the process. The roll out started in late October, with digital interfaces like boarding passes and the United app reflecting the new category names.
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