United Airlines' window passenger first boarding policy is now criticized by numerous travelers.
The American flight company said that it plans to implement WILMA (window, middle, aisle) boarding rule on Oct. 26.
A masked flight attendant passes out refreshments on a flight from San Francisco, California to Newark, New Jersey on October 27, 2020. Although virus dissemination on flights is low when people are able to be socially distant, the extremely hard hit airline industry.
This was revealed on Thursday, Oct. 26. After knowing about the implementation of the new WILMA regulation, many passengers were disappointed.
Here's what travelers say about the decision of United Airlines to require window seat passengers to board airplanes first.
United Airlines Window Passenger First Boarding Policy Criticized
According to Fox Business' latest report, many passengers are complaining about United Airlines WILMA policy. For those who are not familiar with it, this regulation will allow window seat passengers to board the airplane first.
After that, middle seat travelers will follow and the aisle seat passengers will be the last. United Airlines claimed that the WILMA policy will help reduce the boarding time by up to two minutes.
However, travelers are not happy about it because of the negative effects the WILMA policy has. One of them is Sherry Brazil, an airline passenger passing through Newark Liberty International Airport.
"It's an inconvenience for people that might be paying more and still have to wait longer to board to seat window passengers first," she explained.
Meanwhile, others said that the new policy is unfair to the middle and aisle passengers.
"As a window person, I don't really think it's that big of a deal. But I could see aisle people being a little bit bothered by this," said Leona Marlene, a travel vlogger on TikTok who flies with United Airlines.
Others said that the window seat passengers will have an unfair advantage when it comes to overhead space access. They complained that this could affect the experience of travelers who pay higher prices for certain seats.
Will WILMA Really Benefit United Airlines Passengers?
A United airlines flight departs from Reagan National Airport on September 01, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Labor Day weekend is expected to see a record number of travelers in the United States following the busiest summer of air travel in history with over 14 million passengers, more than pre-pandemic travel rates.
UNILAD reported that United Airlines expects the WILMA policy to benefit passengers by reducing boarding time.
Based on its recent trials, the new boarding system can reduce the time spent by passengers getting into their seats by two minutes.
United Airlines explained that this could also boost the company's Net Promoter Scores and Business Traveller reports.
Of course, the American flight company said that it will still allow first and business-class customers to enter the airplane first.
Elite loyalty program members, active-duty military servicemen, and people who need additional assistance will also be prioritized.
United Airlines clarified the WILMA policy will only be used once all these priority passengers board the plane.
