Arriving at the airport early is not the only thing that makes for a good flight. Being aware of when you are to be in your seat is another important thing to know. United Airlines employs a rational process to facilitate passenger boarding, which ensures they depart in a timely manner.

Whenever you have been asking yourself, "What does my United boarding group mean?" the answer will depend on your cabin, mileage, priority status, special privileges, destination, and seat category.

The next article will tell you how United handles boarding, who boards first and last, as well as ways to make the entire process go much more smoothly.

Who Boards First on United Airlines?

Are preboarded passengers called before numbered groups?

Preboards are called before numbered groups. Preboarding is in addition to United's numbered groups.

Qualified customers requiring extra time or assistance, along with other travelers who are eligible to board based on their United Boarding Priority status,s are eligible for preboarding.

Customers who are preboarded are assisted aboard and seated before numbered groups are called.

The general sequence is:

Preboarding → Group 1 → Group 2 → Group 3 → Group 4 → Group 5 → Group 6

This means Group 1 is the first numbered United boarding group, while Group 6 is generally the final numbered group.

What Determines Your United Boarding Group?

Your boarding group is not necessarily based only on when you purchased your ticket.

United can consider several passenger and itinerary characteristics when determining boarding priority.

These may include:

• Travel cabin

• Seat location

• MileagePlus Premier status

• Eligible United benefits

• Certain credit-card benefits

• Fare or ticket characteristics

• Other priority qualifications

As a result, two people sitting on the same flight may receive different boarding groups.

United Boarding Groups in Order

Understanding each group makes it easier to know what to expect at the gate.

Preboarding: Before Group 1

Preboarding, which occurs prior to numbered group boarding. Preboarding may be offered to customers who qualify for earlier boarding with United, which may include those requiring extra time or additional assistance, or other qualifying customers eligible for early boarding under United's boarding policies. 

It is important to understand that preboarding is not Group 1.

Group 1: First Numbered Group

The first numbered boarding group is Group 1. Depending on the flight and your situation, you may be placed in this group if you have premium-cabin benefits or elite-status priority that qualify. If your boarding pass indicates Group 1, be ready to board as soon as United begins boarding that group. 

Group 2: Priority Boarding

Group 2 is the next step after Group 1 and typically contains passengers who are entitled to a higher priority when boarding. This often comprises some MileagePlus members, qualifying cardholders, and other passengers who receive priority boarding through their travel benefits. This can vary by airline, so the information shown on your boarding pass should be assumed to be final. 

Group 3: Earlier General Boarding

Group 3 is the beginning of the final part of the boarding process.

United has the option of coordinating its boarding with seat location, so qualifying passengers in some seats may be placed into this group.

This can be helpful for those who prefer to enter the cabin before the rest of the groups are called.

Group 4: Middle of the Boarding Process

Named after: Group .3. Group 4 Group 3 passengers typically have lower priority for boarding than groups 1,-3 but they usually out-wait the last groups. If you are in this group, listen for the gate announcements rather than hang back until the plane is getting full. 

Group 5: Later Boarding

Group 5 is one of the later United boarding groups. At this stage, many of the other passengers are likely already on board. For those of you with a Group 5 boarding number, it's especially important to keep your personal items organized so you can move quickly throughout the aircraft. 

Group 6: Last Numbered Group

The 6th Group is usually the last numbered boarding group. If you hear the call for Group 1-5 and you board after them, you are a Group 6er. If you have a Group 6 boarding position, it does not mean you cannot board or that something is wrong with your ticket. 

Who Boards First on United?

The first passengers to board are generally those who qualify for preboarding.

After preboarding, Group 1 is the first numbered group, followed by Group 2 and the remaining groups.

A simplified order is:

1. Eligible preboarding passengers

2. Group 1

3. Group 2

4. Group 3

5. Group 4

6. Group 5

7. Group 6

However, United can make operational adjustments at the gate. Always follow the instructions given by the gate agent.

Who Boards Last on United?

Depending on the airline, you may be the last of the number groups to board. As we mentioned above, if you're in Group 6, you'll be called after the other groups have already been called to board. It's important that if you're in Group 6, you arrive at the gate before the airline begins to board. 

Does Seat Location Affect United Boarding?

Yes, seat position can influence United's boarding order. United does use seat-based boarding for part of its overall general boarding process. Under the terms of each rule, some window seats might be boarded before others.

But seat location is not the only consideration.

A passenger with a qualifying priority benefit may be boarded before someone with the same or "later" seat position. The best way to figure out where you really stand is to look at your boarding pass-not necessarily your seat number.

Does United Group 1 Mean You Board Before Everyone?

Not exactly.

"Group 1" is a designation for the first numbered boarding group, but if you're preboarding eligible passengers, they can be called ahead of Group 1.

This actually matters to most travelers because they hear "Group 1" and think it literally means the first group of people on the airplane.

The actual calls are:

Preboarding, if any; Group 1, if any; and everyone else in the numbered groups

How Do I Find My United Boarding Group?

Your assigned group should appear on your boarding pass once you check in.

You can typically find it through:

• The United mobile app

• Your mobile boarding pass

• A printed airport boarding pass

• Assistance from a United airport representative

Check your boarding pass before going to the gate. This avoids confusion when several groups are being called.

What Should You Do When Your Group Is Called?

Once your boarding group is called, have your boarding pass handy. A few basic tips to speed up your boarding process: Leave your phone unlocked: If you've stored your boarding pass on your phone, leave it unlocked so you can quickly scan your barcode.

Prepare your carry-on: Keep your belongings close so you don't have to stop along the way. Watch for gate announcements: The boarding process can change at the last minute, depending on circumstances like plane changes.

Don't get in the way early: Stand to the side of the boarding lane until your group is called, unless a United employee tells you to get in line.

Can United Change Your Boarding Group?

Your boarding group may be different if there has been a change to your itinerary or eligibility.

An example of this would be an update to a qualifying benefit such as a new seat, new cabin, status update, or a new qualifying benefit.

Even if your boarding pass shows a different group than what you're eligible for, ask a United representative at the airport instead of assuming you're eligible to board with an earlier group.

United Boarding Groups: Quick Reference

This table is a simplified overview. Individual boarding assignments can depend on United's current policies and the passenger's circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first United boarding group?

Group 1 is the first numbered United boarding group. Eligible preboarding passengers may board before Group 1.

What is the last boarding group on United?

Group 6 is generally the final numbered boarding group.

Who boards first on United Airlines?

Eligible passengers who qualify for preboarding may board first. Group 1 follows preboarding.

Who boards last on United Airlines?

Passengers assigned to Group 6 generally board last among the numbered groups.

Does Group 1 board before Group 2?

Yes. Group 1 is called before Group 2 under the normal United boarding sequence.

Why did I get United Group 6?

Your boarding group can be influenced by your seat, cabin, status, and other qualifying benefits. Group 6 generally indicates a later boarding position.

Can I board earlier than my assigned United group?

You should generally follow the boarding group printed on your pass and the instructions from United's gate staff. Certain passengers may have separate priority or preboarding eligibility.

Does a window seat affect United boarding?

It can. United's boarding process may use seat location when determining boarding order for certain passengers, although other priority benefits can take precedence.

Is United Group 6 bad?

No. Group 6 simply represents a later boarding position. It does not mean your ticket or seat is invalid.

Final Thoughts

The United Airlines boarding process is designed to move passengers onto the aircraft in an organized sequence. Eligible preboarding passengers may go first, followed by Groups 1 through 6.

If you want to know exactly when you should board, don't rely only on your cabin or seat number. Check the boarding group printed on your United boarding pass and listen for announcements at the gate.

The easiest way to remember the order is:

Preboarding → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6

So, who boards first? Eligible preboarding passengers, followed by Group 1.

Who boards last? Group 6 is generally the last numbered boarding group.