Charisa Bossinakis
United Airlines has introduced a new boarding system that allows people with window seats to enter the plane first.
Hallelujah! No more trying to awkwardly squeeze past other passengers accidentally spilling their OJ and Pringles.
NBC News reported that those with window seat tickets can board ahead of people with aisle and middle tickets, potentially shaving off two minutes of boarding time.
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The new system will kick off - or lift off, we should say - on October 26 and be available for both domestic and international flights.
Many rejoiced following the news, as one X user wrote: “About time. All assigned seat airlines should board window seats, then middle row and aisle seats last. When that happens, enforce carry-on bag size limits.”
Another said: “Finally a logical boarding process.”
A third commented: “It’s about time you listened to the feedback from every passenger ever.”
However, one user panned the change, writing: “While it sounds good high-level, this is not a good change. Aisle seat passengers will have a smaller chance of getting overhead space. That is not fair to them.”
This isn’t the only significant change we’ve seen on flights recently.
Earlier this month, Canada’s Porter Airlines launched a fleet of planes with no middle seat.
This is genius.
This completely eliminates the debate about who has more limited legroom and who is entitled to use the armrests.
The airline’s website explains: “Choose either window or aisle when you fly Porter! Our planes have no middle seats, so you'll never get stuck in the middle and never wonder where to rest your elbows.”
And the cherry on top? The airline added complimentary drinks and snacks.
“When you fly Porter, you'll get to experience our elevated all-economy service,” the airline’s site continues.
“We'll greet you with a warm welcome and get you where you're going in comfort and style, with complimentary beer, wine and premium snacks for all our passengers and our customary two-by-two seating on every flight. On Porter, all-economy means every passenger is our priority.”
Even if you don’t have enough legroom, you can still upgrade.
Michael Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines, said in December last year that the budget airline was committed to making economy more enjoyable for passengers.
"Other airlines have been focused on taking away perks and comforts for decades, but we believe that people should actually enjoy flying as economy passengers. It is possible, as we know from having already redefined regional travel over 16 years ago,” he said.