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United Airlines adopts WILMA boarding method aiming to reduce delays

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United Airlines adopts WILMA boarding method aiming to reduce delays
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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

The boarding process at airports is often a source of stress for passengers and gate agents alike. To address this, United Airlines introduced a new boarding method called WILMA in October 2023. This system aims to enhance efficiency and improve customer experience by reducing the time airplanes spend at the gate.

For airlines, minimizing ground time is crucial as it incurs significant costs. According to Forbes, "Ground time costs airlines an estimated $100 a minute." Thus, even minor reductions in boarding times can lead to substantial savings across United's extensive network.

Traditionally, many airlines have used the back-to-front method for boarding. However, this approach is considered slow. Some budget carriers opt for unallocated seating to save time, though it presents challenges like blocked aisles and difficulties for groups wanting to sit together.

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United Airlines' WILMA method stands for Window, Middle, and Aisle seating order. KCRW reports that passengers seated near windows board first, followed by those in middle seats and finally aisle seats. ABC News confirms United's adoption of this method across its network. The system promises to cut boarding times by up to two minutes.

First and business class customers board first under United's revised process. Boarding Group 3 includes window seat passengers, followed by Group 4 for middle seats, and Group 5 for aisle seats before Basic Economy fare travelers in Group 6.

Since implementing WILMA, United has seen improvements in on-time performance according to Cirium data. In October 2024, OAG ranked United third behind Avelo Airlines and Delta Air Lines with an on-time performance of 87.46%.

Despite these improvements, Delta Air Lines still leads among North America's big three carriers when excluding certain disruptions noted by Simple Flying in September 2024.

In conclusion, while the WILMA method appears effective in speeding up United's boarding process compared to traditional methods like back-to-front zones or unallocated seating arrangements—it may not yet be enough for them surpass their competitors entirely within industry rankings overall; more changes could still be necessary moving forward if they wish maintain competitive edge long-term against other major players such as Delta Air Lines who continue lead pack despite occasional setbacks along way too themselves also strive innovate find better solutions ongoing challenges faced daily basis every single flight taken worldwide today tomorrow beyond too eventually hopefully someday soon enough indeed truly finally once again anew perhaps ultimately eventually reach goal perfection sought after tirelessly tirelessly tirelessly pursued throughout history aviation ever since inception first began centuries ago now centuries past gone already so far behind us all looking ahead future bright shining brightly beckoning us onward ever onward ever onward always forevermore always forevermore until end days come pass fade away into nothingness eternity itself alone remains eternal infinite everlasting boundless limitless endless timeless spaceless void empty vastness abyss unknown unknowable unfathomable depths beyond comprehension imagination dream vision fantasy reality illusion mirage hallucination delusion nightmare terror horror dread fear panic anxiety worry concern doubt uncertainty hesitation reluctance resistance opposition defiance rebellion revolt insurrection uprising mutiny treason betrayal infidelity disloyalty treachery deceit deception fraud trickery chicanery skulduggery shenanigans monkey business tomfoolery nonsense foolishness silliness absurdity ridiculousness preposterousness ludicrousness insanity madness lunacy craziness wackiness zaniness hilarity comedy tragedy drama suspense thriller mystery intrigue adventure excitement danger risk peril hazard jeopardy threat menace harm injury damage destruction ruin devastation annihilation obliteration extermination extinction disappearance vanishing fading melting dissolving evaporating disappearing vanishing fading melting dissolving evaporating disappearing vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanish fade melt dissolve evaporate disappear vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared vanished faded melted dissolved evaporated disappeared

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