seat assignment on united

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United Airlines Seat Selection: What You Need to Know

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Table of Contents

United Airlines seat selection

United seat selection fees, united credit cards with travel benefits, united airlines seats for elite members, united airlines seat map, how to select a seat on united airlines, final thoughts on selecting united airlines seats.

When you take to the skies one of the most important things when it comes to preparing for your flight is knowing where you'll be seated on the airplane. Like most other airlines, United gives its guests assigned seating on its flights. The majority of customers can select from a variety of seats for free, but there are also options for preferred seating and even upgrades for those who are willing to pay. Here's a look at United Airlines seat selection and United Airlines seat assignment policies.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Most United Airlines flights will have at least two cabin classes: economy and first class. Depending on where you’re going, you may also find business class and premium economy seating.

No matter your fare class, you will be able to choose a seat from the available selection, though how much you’ll pay and the associated fees will differ according to your ticket and various other factors.

How much is seat selection on United Airlines? Charges vary, but generally speaking, the longer and more in-demand your flight, the more expensive it will be for your seat selection.

Basic economy (most restrictive)

Basic economy tickets don't provide complimentary seat selection in any cabin. In exchange for cheaper tickets, you can either opt to pay for a seat assignment or wait until check-in and be randomly assigned a seat.

Families and groups who book basic economy tickets won't be seated together; though again, they can pay to ensure that they’re near each other.

Standard economy

You may be wondering: “How do I choose my seat on United Airlines?” Happily, those booking a regular economy class ticket will have the ability to book a seat for free, although the available options may not be desirable. In this case, customers can also choose to pay for better seats while maintaining their economy class ticket.

If you’re traveling with young children you may want to know: “Does United seat families together?” Yes, it does. If you’re booking an economy ticket or above, United’s system will automatically attempt to seat children under 15 on the same reservation together with their parents.

» Learn more: Is United Airlines good?

Preferred seating

Preferred seating features seats with better locations than standard United economy flights. The seats are the same, but they tend to be closer to the front of the cabin. Costs for preferred seating vary depending on the flight, but these are the cheapest paid seat upgrades you can find on United flights.

Economy Plus

Economy Plus seats are within the standard economy cabin, though they’re located just behind first class seating. They provide more legroom than regular economy seats and also offer free alcoholic beverages on premium transcontinental routes. These seats are more expensive than preferred seats.

Premium Plus

Premium Plus is United’s premium economy offering and is available on select flights. This is better than economy class but not as good as United’s international business class, Premium Plus seats are all free for those who book this cabin.

United first and business class

Like Premium Plus, those who book either first or business class can choose any seat within the cabin for free.

» Learn more: How you’ll earn United Premier Qualifying Points on flights

Regardless of where you sit, a United Airlines credit card can provide benefits that make your travel day a little less stressful, from priority boarding and free checked bags to airport lounge access. Among your options:

on Chase's website

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.

• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.

• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS .

• Priority boarding .

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).

• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.

• Access to United Club airport lounges.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Loyal members of United’s MileagePlus program receive additional benefits when booking flights, including better seats.

Silver elite members and above have complimentary access to preferred seating at booking.

Gold elite members and above can pick an Economy Plus seat for free when booking their ticket. Silver members, meanwhile, can choose from available Economy Plus seats upon check-in.

United elite members are also entitled to complimentary upgrades on select flights starting as early as 96 hours before departure.

Wondering what the seats on your flight will look like? United provides a seat map that you can find when booking your flight. Before selecting a flight, you can view the seat map by selecting “Seats” on the search result page.

This will open a live preview of the seats on your aircraft that shows you the layout of the seats as well as which seats are available to select. You’ll also see the seat map during booking, when you’re prompted to select your seats.

After booking, it’s possible to change your seats by going to "My Trips" and selecting "Manage Trips." Once on your specific flight page, you’ll be able to view your seat and select a new one if you desire.

» Learn more: Delta vs. United vs. American

During booking

You’ll automatically be prompted to select a seat when booking your ticket online. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll fill out your passenger information and any frequent flyer programs.

Depending on your flight, United may also offer the ability to purchase discounted bundles during checkout. These may save you money over choosing extras individually, though you’ll want to take a look at the costs.

After deciding whether to add a bundle, you’ll be taken to the seat map to choose your seat. A legend on the right will show you which seats are included and the costs of any upgrades.

Once you’ve selected a seat, complete the check-out process and pay for your ticket.

After booking

If you’ve already booked a ticket and would like to select a seat or change your existing seat, you can do so from the “Manage My Trips” tab under the “My Trips” option.

Then, you’ll select “Manage Trip” from your available trips. Here you’ll find your trip information, including the option to change your seat.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of MileagePlus

United Airlines’ seating policies can be confusing, especially when you’re booking an economy class ticket. The short of it is this: If you book at least a standard economy ticket, you’ll be able to choose a seat for free during the booking process as long as you're traveling on a United-operated flight (versus a flight operated by a partner). You can also pay to have better seats, though some United elite members will receive access to these better seats for free. Basic economy customers, meanwhile, will always need to pay to select a seat.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-3x Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

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United Airlines Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, & More

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United Ticketing Options

United frequent flyer program, baggage fees, united’s other fees & add-ons, how to avoid paying excess fees & travel expenses, united inflight amenities, most common complaints, consumer rankings, ratings, etc. , safety and performance, charity partnership, final thoughts.

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There’s no doubt you know United Airlines (and may have even flown with them before), but are you aware of their different fare types, the ins and outs of their baggage allowances, and all of their extra fees/add-ons? What about their seat specs and their consumer satisfaction ratings?

This helpful guide covers all you need to know about this large U.S. carrier so you hopefully won’t be caught unaware on your next flight.

In this post you’ll find a general company overview, ticketing/fare options, extra fees/add-ons (including baggage allowances ), cabin class amenities, seat specs, and more.

Airline: United Airlines

Alliance:  Star Alliance

Category:  Legacy domestic and international airline

Frequent Flyer Program: MileagePlus

Tag Line:  “Fly the Friendly Skies”

About/Mission Statement: “We are committed to providing a level of service to our customers that makes us a leader in the airline industry. We understand that to do this we need to have a product we are proud of and employees who like coming to work every day….” (source)

Daily Flights:  4,700

Main Hub:  Chicago-O’Hare International Airport ( ORD )

Destinations:  356 (including 125 international)

United’s fare types are pretty standard for a large U.S. carrier. But with stiff competition from lots of low-cost airlines, United recently introduced a Basic Economy fare — which pretty much just gets you a seat on the plane.

Handy for those traveling light, this reduced and restricted fare does not include any standard carry-on or checked luggage.

And for anyone part of United’s frequent flyer program (covered later on in this article), you won’t be eligible for premier qualifying miles that go toward your elite status when flying in this class.

Below are the additional differences in fare types and cabin classes, with inflight amenities covered later on in this article:

Basic Economy (most restrictive fare): 

• Pre-assigned seat before boarding
• Family or group seating not possible
• First checked bag costs an additional $120 (round-trip)
• Upgrades not available
• Changes or refunds not permitted

Economy (standard): 

• Seat selection at time of booking (if available)
• Customize your booking with other options

Economy (flexible):

• Refundable ticket (subject to cancellation fees)

Premium Plus:

• Spacious, larger seating with extra legroom
• Complimentary food and beverage
• Enhanced dining with complimentary food and beverage

The availability of certain cabin classes is dependent on the route and plane type. We’ve also covered how you can upgrade to business or first class on United Airlines .

Economy Plus

If you’re looking for a little extra legroom, you can upgrade your booking to Economy Plus. This will also seat you closer to the front of the aircraft so you can disembark quicker.

You can upgrade as a one-off, or subscribe to yearly upgrades when booking a regular economy ticket (where Economy Plus is available).

MileagePlus is United’s frequent flyer loyalty program where you can earn miles to redeem against reward flights and work your way up membership tiers to gain elite benefits, such as priority check-in and additional luggage.

These reward miles can also be used against flights with other Star Alliance members. You can earn miles through flying, shopping, dining out, and spending on certain credit cards.

Hot Tip: For more information, check out our article on United’s MileagePlus frequent flyer program .

United Airlines Baggage Fees & Other Fees/Add-Ons

United Airlines Carry-On Allowance:

1 personal item: FREE 1 standard carry-on bag: FREE (including Basic Economy Transatlantic flights but excluding all other routes for basic economy)

United  Airlines Checked Allowance:

Max weight: 50lb (23kg) for all economy and premium plus fares and 70lbs (32kg) for business and first class fares.

Max size: 62 inches (158cm) linear

United recommends that passengers check their official baggage fee calculator tool to view baggage costs associated with their specific fare type.

We ran some basic route searches, and the fees appeared as the following (do a check on your specific fare before booking to confirm):

Domestic U.S. & Canada

• Economy (Basic, plus and standard): 1st bag $30, 2nd bag $40, 3rd+ bag $150
• Business and first: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $150

U.S. to/from Mexico

• Economy (Basic, plus and standard): 1st bag $30, 2nd bag $55, 3rd+ bag $180
• Business and first: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $180

U.S. to/from Europe

• Economy: 1st bag $0 (£60 for Basic Economy), 2nd bag $100, 3rd+ bag $200
• Premium Plus: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $200
• Business: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $200
• First: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bags free; 4th+ bag $200

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees:

Oversized Fee: $200 per bag (up to 115in/292cm)

Overweight Fee (route dependent):

• Bags 51-70lb: $100-$200 per bag
• Bags 71-100lb: $200-$400 per bag

MileagePlus Status weight allowance:

• Silver, Gold, Platinum, 1K: 70lb
• Star Alliance Gold (traveling in first, business or  United Polaris Business ): 70lb

Hot Tip: See our post on United Airlines baggage policy  which details specific baggage allowances for all types of cabin class, status and personnel such as the military. 

Service Fees

All reservations on United.com can be made without incurring a service fee. For other methods of booking made within the U.S. or Canada, the service fees are as follows:

By Phone: $25

City Ticket Office:  $30

At the Airport: $50

Reservations Made Outside of the U.S.: Fees vary according to country

Cancellation and Change Fees: (Cash Tickets)

• Domestic Cancellation Fee: $200
• International Cancellation Fee: Up to $400
• Waived for Gold, Platinum, and 1k members
• Cancellation : If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, no refund will be issued – but you can use the cost of the flight against a new ticket within 12 months.
• If your departure or arrival time changes by more than 30 minutes (due to a schedule change), you can change your flight at no extra cost or request a refund.

We’ve also gone into detail on United’s  award flight change & cancellation fees .

Seat Selection Fees

There is no charge to select a seat with United (where available), but you can opt for “Preferred seating” (closer to the front of the economy section) from $9 each way.

Economy Plus Upgrade: $16-$169 each way

Unaccompanied Minor Fee: $150 each way

Pet in Cabin Fee: $125 each way

Fare Holding Fees

If you’re not ready to book at the time of searching, then you can pay to reserve your fare using “Farelock.”

The fee varies by destination, but ranges from $5-$20 with the ability to hold a fare for either 3 or 7 days.

United Airlines Annual Subscription Fees

Economy Plus: From $499

Benefit from additional leg room and being closer to the front of the plane for quicker exiting when you reach your destination.

United Bundle Options

Bundles are offered during the reservation process combining different options, such as an Economy Plus upgrade and United Club trip pass. Prices vary per route, but United states that savings can be had by buying these bundles.

Wi-Fi: From $49

United Club Membership: From $550

Get access to all of the  United Club locations and select partner lounges.

Onboard Refreshments

For flights over 3 hours (within the U.S. and to/from Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America) customers can order from the “Bistro on Board” menu serving items such as a chorizo breakfast sandwich, pepperoni deep dish pizza, or a mezze sampler with prices ranging from $6.99-$9.99 . Menu choices depend on the flight route.

On flights over 1.5 hours (within North America, including select Latin American destinations and the Caribbean, in addition to Singapore , Australia , and New Zealand ) customers can order from the “Snack Shop” serving sweet and savory nibbles and snack boxes. Prices range from $3.99-$9.59 .

Beer and wine are $8, while premium spirits range from $8-$9 and specialty cocktails will run you $10.

Onboard entertainment

Available on select Boeing 737 and 757-300 aircraft, customers can purchase access to DIRECTV with more than 100 TV channels plus movies.

This is complimentary for United first passengers, and $5.99 for United economy passengers on flights less than 2 hours ($7.99 for flights more than 2 hours).

Many travel rewards cards come with an annual airline credit and can be used to offset fees such as baggage fees, such as The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  come with an annual $300 travel credit that can be used to offset almost  any  travel expense.

The cards below allow you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days):

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Credit Card Reviews
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Capital One Miles

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

• No annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
• No Annual Fee Cards

In addition, if you have the United Explorer℠ Card  you can get 1 free checked bag for you and a companion on your itinerary.

United Seat Specs & Inflight Amenities

United Airlines has 14 different types of aircraft with varying cabin classes and seat specs.

United Express operates a further 5 aircraft through its partner airlines. You can view the aircraft and seat specs here .

United Business & First

• Premium leather seat with extra space and comfort, featuring a headrest that adjusts 6 ways
• Storage space for personal items
• Universal AC power plug
• Mobile device holder
• United Wi-Fi (fee applies)
• Complimentary inflight beverages including beer, wine, spirits, and illy coffee
• DIRECTV with more than 100 TV channels plus movies
• Dining options in partnership with The Trotter Project

Polaris Business & First

• Saks Fifth Avenue bedding
• Sleep-inspired amenities (cotton pajamas on flights over 10 hours)
• Soho House’s Cowshed Spa skincare items
• Lie-flat beds
• 16″ HD monitor

Premium Plus

• Larger seat with more legroom, leg and footrests
• Complimentary beverages
• 13″ monitor
• Power and USB sockets
• Noise-reducing headphones

• Extra legroom
• Situated nearer the front of the plane for quicker disembarkation
• Eligible to earn Premier qualifying dollars
• All standard economy benefits

Economy (Basic and Standard)

• On domestic flights and to/from the Caribbean and Latin America, customers receive complimentary soft drinks (including illy coffee) and can purchase snacks/meals and alcohol.
• On international flights, customers receive complimentary food and beverages including house beer and wine
• Entertainment varies by aircraft (details can be found on the Inflight Amenities tab on United’s Flight Status page )

Hot Tip: Check out our post on United Airlines’ boarding policy so you’ll know what to expect from the boarding process as almost all airlines have a different procedure!

United Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a real mixed bag with United Airlines. Their social media channels and Tripadvisor reviews seem to attract many compliments from loyal customers, which is unusual as these outlets are often utilized to rant and rave about poor service!

Additionally, their PR team is pretty genius, sponsoring a number of great causes and shouting about their good deeds on social media — so even if the service was only mediocre for a customer, their philanthropic ways may improve consumer brand impression.

Lost baggage is a real gripe for United customers, being one of the most prominent issues on review sites. Also, inconsistencies of aircraft age can lead to disappointment in inflight amenities.

One customer complaint we found said they had experienced a seat-back entertainment system on once international flight and not on another. That’s going to disappoint any traveler.

United prides itself on their personal device entertainment, but this does rely on the customer having a smartphone/tablet at their disposal.

United Airlines had 1,169 complaints lodged against them from January-September 2018 according to the  September 2018 Air Travel Consumer Report . The chart below represents the complaints by category.

• Flight problems (cancellation, delay, or misconnection): 292
• Baggage: 185
• Customer service: 174
• Reservation, ticketing, boarding: 110
• Disability : 86
• Refunds: 45
• Oversales: 34
• Discrimination: 8
• Advertising: 5

There are a number of different review websites out there when it comes to airline ratings. Here are a few of the most popular so you can see the general consumer opinion for United Airlines.

Skytrax Ranking: 3 Star Airline (out of 5)

Skytrax Customer Rating:  3/10 (average from 2,594 reviews)

TripAdvisor Airline Review Rating:  3/5 (average from 36,791 reviews)

Kayak Customer Rating: 7/10 (average from 61,414 reviews)

AirHelp.com Overall Rating: 7.59/10 (departure/arrival performance, service, and satisfaction of claims processing)

Airlineratings.com Safety Rating :  7/7 (takes into consideration whether the airline has an IATA Operational Safety Audit Certification, government and crash records, plus information from the World’s Aviation Governing Body).

United Airlines supports numerous charities across their main hub locations and across the globe. It strives to be a more sustainable airline supporting environmental charities and operations such as Clean the World and Conservation International.

United also supports many youth projects, including Youth Guidance with the goal of inspiring future leaders.

Overall, customer satisfaction seems to be somewhere in the middle for United — and as with other legacy U.S. carriers, there will always be a place for the airline with reasonable fares and route availability.

United will never have the sass and style of Virgin Atlantic or the service and luxury of the Middle Eastern airlines, but it serves its purpose and does have a loyal customer base (although this may be dwindling slightly, with many referencing the “good old days” when United was great).

Their current focus seems to be on revamping their premium cabins, with their Polaris offering in business and first — but we’re hoping they don’t neglect economy for too much longer either.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What alliance is united apart of.

United is apart of Star Alliance partnership.

What is the United carry-on baggage allowance?

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An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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Window Seat Passengers Will Now Get Priority Boarding on United Airlines

By Jessica Puckett

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

United Airlines is changing its boarding process for economy passengers, and your seat preference —window, middle, or aisle—could determine how quickly you are allowed on the plane.

According to an internal memo, the airline will be switching to a boarding system in economy that will follow a window, middle, aisle seat order, or WILMA in industry parlance.

The new process will go into effect on most United flights on October 26. Here’s how it will work: When economy boarding starts, passengers with a window seat will board in Group 3, along with fliers in exit row seats. Next up will be economy fliers with middle seats, who will be in boarding in Group 4. The last regular economy passengers on the aircraft will be fliers with seats along the aisle, who will be assigned Group 5 on their boarding passes.

The new process will also accommodate fliers traveling with companions—multiple customers on the same economy reservation, like families or partners traveling together, will be assigned the same and highest boarding group number. The only exception is passengers in basic economy.

All basic economy fliers, regardless of seat assignment, will be pushed to the newly established Group 6, the final group and the last passengers to get on the plane.

There will be no change in the boarding system for pre-boarding groups like active military or disabled passengers, or for business class, first class, and fliers with elite status.

The airline has boarded its planes using the WILMA method in the past, but stopped the process in 2017 in favor of a standard front-to-back approach. However, the airline’s memo says that since 2019, United’s average boarding times have increased by two minutes, as a result of which, it has been researching a way to streamline its protocol again.

United tested the WILMA process at four boarding points at unnamed domestic airports , including one of its major hubs, and reports that it’s a faster procedure, shaving the extra two minutes off of boarding times. Those two minutes are crucial for both the airline and for passengers, as a departure running behind by even that amount of time can cause tarmac delays that throw off passengers’ travel plans and become costly for carriers.

US airlines are always tinkering with the boarding process to see if it can be smoother or more profitable. JetBlue used to be known for boarding passengers with a quicker back-to-front method—a system it briefly revived during the pandemic to reduce the amount of time passengers were standing in the aisles. Southwest, too, has its open-seating boarding system in which passengers board by group but are free to pick the first available seat that appeals to them. That process is about 47 percent faster than traditional boarding, according to flight search platform CheapAir.com . Even so, Southwest has experimented with ways to make its process more efficient by testing a boarding procedure that opened both the front and rear doors for passengers at a handful of airports—although that option never seemed to catch on across its fleet.

But in general, airlines today stick to a front-to-back, row-by-row procedure because it is simply more lucrative. Priority boarding is usually seen as an added perk for passengers who buy more expensive premium seats, spend enough on an airline’s co-branded credit cards to earn elite status, or separately purchase early boarding access—a major boon for Southwest’s bottomline in particular.

Indeed, many passengers are willing to pay more to be among the first to board with access to overhead bin space for any carry-on items . But if you’re an economy flier who doesn’t want to hand over more money, now you can just opt for the window seat .

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Seat Assignment on United / Lufthansa Code Share - Air Travel Forum

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Since the flight is operated by Lufthansa you can't choose the seats on the United Website. You are redirected to the Lufthansa website. on the LH.com website you find a note :

"Conditions of your ticket do not allow for seat reservations on LH.com. Please contact our service center at:

1-800-645-3880 or select seats during check-in."

I called the number and the LH rep told me that an advanced seat reservation is $40 per seat, or get free seat assignments 23 hour before departure. I told her that I bought the more expensive ticket so that I can choose my seats. We are a family of four and want to sit together and we don't want to sit next to the lavatory. The LH rep basically told me that I can pay for the seats or complain with United.

Called back United, they said they can't do anything because the Lufthansa rules apply.

So here I paid United $150/ticket extra to get advanced seat assignments and then Lufthansa wants to charge me an additional fee of $40/ticket.

Basically the airlines want me to pay TWICE for ONE advanced seat assignment.

Any advice how to resolve this issue?

Other than pay Lufthansa to select seats, no. You can argue more with united that they didn’t make the seat assignment policy clear but I don’t think it’ll get you anywhere. Economy has more advantages over basic economy than just seat selection so I think United will say they provided what you bought, an economy ticket. You’re getting the free bag plus ability to change for the extra cost.

Fares have become very complicated as to what is included. You really have to check out all of the details before purchasing, as things change for many reasons. Domestic and international rules can be different, such as you get one free bag on UA for an international trip in Economy ( I believe BE pays $60 for the first bag) but not domestic, unless you fly in a higher class (BC or FC), have their credit card, or other status. Seat assignments are tricky as to when you get free seat assignments in advance and when you don't. Most European airlines seem to charge for advance seat assignments.

Certainly gets confusing but from my experiences with codeshares, especially on UA, I don't think you're going to win any arguments with UA or LH.

"With economy: Complimentary seat assignments are only offered when available on United and United Express flights . There may be a charge for Economy seat assignments on our partner airlines ."

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Where to sit when flying United’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 with the new interior

United just added a new plane model to its fleet, and it's the most modern one yet.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 — the smaller of the two MAX variants currently in service — joined the carrier's domestic fleet on July 16, marking the first of 270 new domestic jets that are slated to be delivered to United over the coming years.

This isn't just any domestic jet, though.

It's the first to feature United's newly unveiled "signature interior," with seat-back screens, larger overhead bins, power outlets and other passenger-friendly amenities from nose to tail. All new United planes will be delivered from the factory with the upgraded cabins, while existing ones will undergo a comprehensive retrofit program.

For now, if you're looking for the swankiest domestic experience offered by United, you'll want to book on the MAX 8. And once you're booked on Boeing's new ( and beleaguered ) workhorse, here's which seats to pick and which ones to avoid.

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United First on the Boeing 737 MAX 8

If faced with the choice, you'll definitely want to snag one of the 16 first-class recliners on the United 737 MAX 8.

Seats are spread across four rows in a 2-2 configuration with roughly 37 inches of pitch.

Though the "bones" of the seat are identical to the new ones you'll find on other domestic UA jets, the seats feel more modern thanks to the 13-inch high-definition seat-back monitor and other refined touches, like a remote control and relocated power outlet.

Some travelers like sitting in the bulkhead, but I'd recommend avoiding row 1 on the United 737 MAX 8. That's because the screens are fixed into the bulkhead wall — if you're really tall or height-challenged, you'll need to bend your neck to watch your content.

Another drawback to the bulkhead is that there's a built-in airbag in each of the seat belts. Though this feature is designed for your safety, the airbag can get uncomfortable after resting on your hips throughout the flight.

I'd recommend choosing seats in row 2 or 3 when flying upfront on the 737 MAX 8.

Row 4 would be my second-to-last pick. You'll be reclining into the bulkhead wall dividing first class and coach, and the proximity to the coach cabin could be bothersome.

United Economy Plus on the Boeing 737 MAX 8

The first thing I noticed when boarding United's new MAX is the sheer number of extra-legroom Economy Plus seats.

These "purple seats," as they're affectionately called by some flight attendants, span nine rows in a standard 3-3 configuration.

As part of United's five-year plan , dubbed "United Next," the carrier's investing in growing the proportion of premium seats in its fleet, including both first-class and Economy Plus, by roughly 75% from 2019 to 2026.

These seats offer an additional three to four inches of pitch compared to regular economy, but the actual seats themselves are otherwise identical.

Some of the 54 Economy Plus seats are much better than others, so let's start with which ones you might want to avoid:

• Row seven is the bulkhead. Some people will undoubtedly enjoy these seats — no one reclines into you, and the bulkhead wall doesn't extend all the way to the floor, so there's ample under-seat storage below the two first-class recliners in front. However, two of the biggest drawbacks include immovable armrests and the fact that the seat-back screens swivel out from in between each seat.

• Row 11 is missing windows. If you're an aviation enthusiast who enjoys staring out the window, you'll be disappointed if you end up in Row 11.

• Row 12 and Row 14 each have just one window, compared to the two you'll find in other rows. This isn't a dealbreaker for me, but if you're after the perfect wing-view shot, you may prefer to sit elsewhere.

• Row 15 is right in front of the exit row. As such, these seats don't recline, so I'd recommend steering clear of these six spots.

As for where you should sit, anywhere else in the Economy Plus section works, but I have a strong preference for exit row 21. Here you'll find a total of 38 inches of pitch — eight more than in standard coach — and the seats recline as normal.

The only downside is that the window armrest is built into the exit door, so it's not nearly as comfortable as those you'll find elsewhere on the jet.

United Economy on the Boeing 737 MAX 8

With 96 seats, most flyers will end up sitting in the standard economy section. Good thing these are some of the best coach seats in the United fleet.

After all, you'll find a seat-back monitor, large overhead bins, power outlets and USB ports available throughout the cabin, including in economy.

Pitch is roughly 30 inches, so it could definitely feel tight depending on your body size.

The only seats to avoid in coach are those in the last row 38 due to limited recline. Otherwise, the remaining rows are roughly equal.

I'd try sitting as close to the front as possible for a faster deplaning experience, but otherwise, you can't really go wrong with other coach seats.

Bottom line

United's newest jet, the Boeing 737 MAX 8, is now flying the friendly skies. With an upgraded onboard experience, this is the plane that'll likely win United some awards. While the enhancements span nose to tail, all seats aren't created equally.

It pays to know where to sit, so that you avoid missing window views, and instead maximize your legroom.

In first-class, you'll find me in row two or three. In Economy Plus, I'll be in exit row 21, and in coach, I'll choose a seat as close to the front as possible.

If you notice that one of my preferred seats is already assigned when booking, perhaps we'll be on the same flight. If so, come up and say hi!

United Economy Vs Basic Economy: What You Need To Know

E ver since EVA Air offered its upgraded Evergreen class of premium economy seats in 1991, other airlines have jumped on the wagon, hoping that passengers will pay extra for a slightly better experience. The experience can vary greatly depending on the airline, with some offering an increased baggage allowance, better in-flight meals, and improved entertainment. One thing they all have in common is increased legroom and a more expensive purchase price.

Chicago-headquartered United Airlines has taken the concept a bit further, offering three classes of economy tickets, which are:

• Basic economy
• Economy plus

With this in mind, we will compare United Airlines' basic economy and see how it compares to the carrier's regular economy offering. United Airlines economy class is comparable to other American carriers like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Still, its basic economy only offers some of the perks of a regular economy class ticket.

Basic Economy Class

What you get with a United Airlines basic economy ticket :

• Checked luggage and carry-ons: If you are flying within the lower 48 states, you can bring one personal item like a shoulder or laptop bag aboard, so long as it can be stowed on the floor of the seat in front of you. No full-size carry-on bags are permitted. If you have another bag, you must pay $35 and have it checked in. Checked luggage on international flights costs $60, but you can bring a carry-on.
• Seat assignment: United Airlines will assign you a seat. However, some flights allow you to select your seat for a fee starting from $10.
• Boarding: As a basic economy passenger, you will be in the last group to board the aircraft.
• Cancelations and refunds: United Airlines basic economy tickets cannot be changed, but you can get a refund if you cancel your flight at least 24 hours after booking for a full refund. If you cancel your flight later than 24 hours before departure, you will pay $99 for a domestic flight and $199 for an international flight. You will also not be reimbursed in cash but will receive a voucher that you can use for a future flight.
• Miles and upgrades: With a basic economy fare, you will not receive a complimentary upgrade to economy plus. You will earn half the air miles you would typically be entitled to with a regular economy ticket.

Basic Economy Tickets Revenue Increased 20% At United Airlines In Q4 2023

Economy class.

What you get with a United Airlines economy class ticket:

• Checked luggage and carry-ons: United Airlines economy seating has the same fees as basic economy, but it does allow you one piece of carry-on luggage.
• Seat assignment: With regular economy, you can select where you want to sit, which is a big plus when traveling with friends or family.
• Boarding: Just like with basic economy, standard economy is one of the last groups to board, but you do get called for boarding ahead of people with basic economy tickets.
• Cancelations and refunds: United Airlines, like other mainstream American carriers, has gotten rid of ticket change fees > If you cancel your booking within 24 hours of making it, you will be entitled to a full refund. You can still cancel later, but your refund will be in the form of a voucher for a future flight.
• Miles and upgrades: If you are a member of the United Airlines MileagePlus program, you may be offered a free upgrade to economy plus

Is it worth paying the extra money rather than flying basic economy?

Looking at flying with United Airlines round trip from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), a basic economy ticket at this time of year is available for $116. The same flight when flying regular economy is $186, which is $70 more expensive than the basic fare.

Seeing how it is only a two-hour ten-minute flight and the fact both seats are the same width and legroom, it makes sense to fly basic economy. Having said that, if you dread getting assigned a middle seat, need a carry-on, and want to sit with family and friends, it makes sense to pay the extra $70.

United Check-in

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How can I check in for my United Airlines (UA) flight?

You may check-in for your United Airlines (UA) flight with the following options:

• Online check-in (Web check-in)
• Mobile check-in
• Voice check-in
• Auto check-in
• Curbside check-in at the airport
• Self-service kiosk check-in at the airport
• Ticket counter check-in at the airport

Does United Airlines (UA) have online web check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your United Airlines (UA) flight online starting 24 hours and ending 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device or a printable boarding pass. You may use this option if:

• you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on United Airlines (UA)
• you may access your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
• you are not a special needs passenger (for example an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)

Can I check bags with the United Airlines (UA) online web check-in?: Yes, you may check bags but you must drop them at the airport baggage drop before the check-in deadline for your flight.

Can I pay bag fees with the United Airlines (UA) online web check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the United Airlines (UA) online web check-in?: Yes

Does United Airlines (UA) offer mobile check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your United Airlines (UA) flight with your mobile device starting 24 hours and ending 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mo-bile boarding pass on your mobile device. You may use this option if:

• you are not a special needs passenger (for example, an unaccompanied minor)
• you are departing from an airport which accepts mobile boarding passes (if not, then you may check-in and print a boarding pass at the self-service kiosk or ticket counter)

Does United Airlines (UA) offer curbside check-in? (US Carriers only)

Yes, you may check-in for your United Airlines (UA) flight curbside at most U S airport locations from 30 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination). You will need your photo ID and also your flight reservation code, flight number destination, or electronic ticket number to check-in. Please check United Airlines (UA) website for an exact list of participating airports and minimum check-in times.

Does United Airlines (UA) offer self-service kiosk check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your United Airlines (UA) flight at the airport self-service kiosk from 30 minutes to 3 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags with the United Airlines (UA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees with the United Airlines (UA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the United Airlines (UA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Does United Airlines (UA) offer ticket counter check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your United Airlines (UA) flight at the airport ticket counter from 30 minutes to 3 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags at the United Airlines (UA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees at the United Airlines (UA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat at the United Airlines (UA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

What is United Airlines (UA) Voice Check-in?

Voice Check-in allows quick and easy check in for your United flight over the phone if you do not have access to the Internet or a mobile device. Customers traveling within the U.S. or Canada with less than 10 people in their party are eligible for voice check-in.

With Voice Check-in, you may tell the number of bags you want to check, hear your baggage service charges and arrange either for your boarding documents to be delivered by email or to pick them up at an airport kiosk.

To use this option you will need to call 1-800-864-8331 and say "check in" during the automated menu.

What is Auto Check-in?

When you check in for the first segment of your flight, if your itinerary is eligible, then you will be given the option to select Auto Check-in for the remaining segment or a return flight. When your remaining segment or return flight departure is within the 24-hour window, Auto Check-in will take the necessary steps to check you in for the flight. When you select this feature, you'll choose how you prefer to receive your boarding pass, such as by email or mobile device (where applicable), or print at an airport kiosk.

Does United Airlines (UA) charge a fee for a seat assignment?

United Airlines (UA) does not charge a fee for selecting a standard seat assignment.

When do I need to check-in for my United Airlines (UA) flight?

The minimum time to check-in for a United Airlines (UA) flight is:

• 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

When do I need to arrive at the airport for my United Airlines (UA) flight?

Suggested arrival time:

• 1 hour before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 2 hours before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US*

Minimum required check-in time with carry-on baggage baggage:

• 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights*
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US*

Minimum required check-in time with checked baggage:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights*

*Several heavy travel U S domestic cities have minimum check-in time of 45 minutes and some non-U S cities have minimum check-in times of 75 to 90 minutes. Check united.com for exact details.

When do I need to be at the boarding gate?

Boarding closes at the following times for United Airlines (UA) flights:

• 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for most international flights to/from the US. Some non-US airports close boarding 60 minutes before scheduled departure time. Check united.com for exact details.

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