Quantcast

United Airlines adopts WILMA boarding method aiming to reduce delays

Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
United Airlines adopts WILMA boarding method aiming to reduce delays
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
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.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

In December 2022, Southwest Airlines faced a major crisis as operational challenges led to the cancellation of 16,900 flights, affecting nearly two million passengers during a peak travel period.

Apr 19, 2025

Harrison Ford, an acclaimed actor known for roles such as Han Solo in "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones, is also a noted aviation enthusiast.

Apr 19, 2025

Iberia Airlines has confirmed a notable shift in its flight schedule connecting Madrid and Dallas/Fort Worth, introducing its first overnight service from Europe to the US.

Apr 19, 2025