Airline to board passengers with window seats first in bid to speed up process

United Airlines has said it will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights.

The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on October 26.

The plan, known as Wilma, for window, middle and aisle, was tested at four domestic locations and one hub.

United said that it has shown to save up to two minutes of boarding time.

Those with window seats will board first, followed by those with middle seats and then those with aisle seats. United said that multiple customers on the same economy reservation, such as families, will be allowed to board their flight together.

The plan will be implemented on domestic flights and some international flights.

Individuals in first class and business class will see no change in their boarding process. There is also no change for the pre-boarding group that includes travellers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, active-duty military and families travelling with children that are two years old or younger.