If you’re a United Economy passenger who prefers a window seat, you’re in luck! United Airlines has reintroduced its WILMA boarding process, a system designed to speed up boarding by prioritizing passengers seated at the window before those in the middle and aisle seats.
This updated boarding process is aimed at reducing congestion, streamlining boarding, and improving efficiency. But does it really help travelers, or does it just shift inconveniences around? Here’s everything you need to know about United’s WILMA boarding process.
What is WILMA Boarding?
WILMA stands for:
✔ Window seat passengers board first
✔ Middle seat passengers board next
✔ Aisle seat passengers board last
This method minimizes seat blocking, as passengers aren’t forced to move for others to reach their seats. The goal? Faster boarding and fewer delays.
When Did United Airlines Bring Back WILMA?
United reintroduced WILMA on October 26, 2023, after previously discontinuing it in 2017 when Basic Economy fares were introduced. At that time, United cited carry-on limitations as the reason for dropping the process.
Now, United claims that bringing WILMA back will cut boarding times by two minutes per flight, helping improve on-time departures.
How Does United’s New Boarding Process Work?
Updated United Boarding Groups
| Boarding Group | Who Boards? |
| Pre-boarding | Customers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, active-duty military, Global Services members, families with children under 2, Premier 1K members |
| Group 1 | United Polaris Business, United First, United Business, Premier Platinum, Premier Gold, Star Alliance Gold |
| Group 2 | Premier Silver, Star Alliance Silver, select Chase credit card holders, Paid Premier Access passengers |
| Group 3 | Economy passengers with window seats |
| Group 4 | Economy passengers with middle seats |
| Group 5 | Economy passengers with aisle seats |
| Group 6 | Basic Economy passengers with carry-on restrictions |
Who Benefits Most from WILMA?
✔ Window seat travelers in Economy – They get to board before aisle and middle seat passengers, ensuring they get overhead bin space and can settle in first.
✔ Passengers who want a smoother boarding experience – Fewer seat disruptions, meaning less getting up for other passengers to pass through.
✔ Frequent flyers and premium passengers – Their priority boarding benefits remain unchanged.
Who Might Be Disadvantaged by WILMA?
❌ Aisle seat travelers – They board last in Economy, increasing the risk of running out of overhead bin space.
❌ Travelers who like boarding together – If you’re in separate seat types (one window, one aisle), you may have to board at different times unless on the same reservation.
❌ Last-minute bookers – If you book late and get an aisle seat, you could board last, making it harder to find good luggage storage.
💡 Tip: If you prefer an aisle seat but want to board earlier, consider purchasing priority boarding (Premier Access) or selecting a window seat when booking.
What If You’re Traveling in a Group?
United lets groups board together if they’re on the same ticket. That means:
✔ If you’re traveling with someone who qualifies for a higher boarding group, you can board with them.
✔ Example: If your partner is active-duty military, and you’re on the same reservation, you both pre-board.
Overhead Bin Space Concerns
One of the biggest complaints from travelers is running out of overhead bin space. With WILMA, aisle seat passengers (Group 5) board last, increasing their risk of having to check carry-ons at the gate.
To address this, United is upgrading aircraft with larger overhead bins, a process expected to be completed by 2026.
💡 Tip: If overhead bin space is a priority, consider:
✔ Selecting a window seat (Group 3) for earlier boarding
✔ Purchasing priority boarding (Premier Access)
✔ Packing light to avoid gate-checking your bag
FAQs About United Airlines’ WILMA Boarding Process
Q. Does WILMA affect frequent flyer perks?
Ans. No. Elite status passengers (Premier members, Star Alliance elites, and credit card holders) still board in Groups 1 and 2, before general Economy passengers.
Q. Can I still sit in an aisle seat and board early?
Ans. Not unless you qualify for Group 1 or 2. Aisle seat passengers board in Group 5, so if you want to board earlier, consider choosing a window seat or purchasing priority boarding.
Q. Will families with young kids be impacted?
Ans. Families with children under 2 can still pre-board, so they won’t be affected.
Q. Will this actually make boarding faster?
Ans. United says WILMA shaves two minutes off boarding time. While it may not seem like much, over time, it helps improve on-time departures.
Final Thoughts: Is United’s WILMA Boarding Good for Travelers?
✅ Pros:
✔ Speeds up boarding by reducing seat disruptions
✔ Benefits window seat passengers who board early
✔ Keeps priority boarding benefits for frequent flyers
❌ Cons:
❌ Aisle seat passengers board last and may run out of overhead bin space
❌ Travelers who prefer boarding together may need to adjust
Final Verdict: If you prefer window seats, this policy works in your favor. But if you’re an aisle seat traveler who values early boarding, you might need to rethink your seat selection.
What do you think of United’s WILMA boarding process? Does it make flying more efficient, or just shift the inconvenience to aisle seat travelers? Let us know your thoughts! ✈️
