United Tries to Solve the Boarding Crush

United Airlines is testing a new boarding procedure in Los Angeles that may ease crowding around the gate area.

Currently, most United gates have up to five boarding areas in which passengers queue up prior to departure. That can result in some congestion near the gate and ultimately, confusion.

The new concept effectively does away with demarcated lines for each group of passengers and only sets up lines for the first two (premium) boarding groups. This will allow elite passengers to still board early and find overhead bin space while hopefully keeping general passengers seated until they’re specifically called to board.

Hovering near the gate prior to boarding may be as hard to combat as other ticks of human nature like loud cellphone banter or bare feet on the bulkhead. But United’s taking the high ground and working to ease the congestion. Hopefully it works out.

Brian Sumers, Skift’s airline business reporter, has the full scoop on United’s new boarding procedure.

— Grant Martin

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