Faster boarding US style....will it come here?

flyer4703 · #1 (**permalink**) 15th January 2006, 09:39 PM

Interesting article on how airlines in the US are cutting boarding times.
Will it catch on here? Amazing that United claims savings of $1million a year by saving 5 minutes boarding time per flight.

"You may soon be able to forget the back-to-front boarding process that used to be a staple of U.S. airlines. USA TODAY reports that several big airlines –- including Delta, United, US Airways and AirTran -– are trying to speed up the boarding process by trying new methods. United and US Airways now board customers in window seats first, followed by middle seats and then the aisle. AirTran and Delta have turned to staggering boarding fliers between back and front seats to avoid a rush to one particular part of the cabin. United says its boarding is four to five minutes faster since the change, and spokeswoman Robin Urbanski estimates that saves the carrier about $1 million a year. How would that save the airline money? Faster boarding means planes can get back in the air more quickly, both reducing delays and allowing airlines to squeeze more revenue-producing flying time out of their aircraft. Southwest cites its open boarding process -– which it says allows for faster boarding –- for helping to keep its operations efficient."

Link to story
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...ing-usat_x.htm

Dave Noble · #2 (**permalink**) 15th January 2006, 10:30 PM

I doubt it. QF already has fast boarding 10-20 mins depending on aircraft type which is already a great improvement over the 30 mins typical in the US.

I they want to cut boarding time in the US, then start restricting carry on luggage to reasonable levels

Dave

Lindsay Wilson · #3 (**permalink**) 15th January 2006, 10:53 PM

Agree with Dave Noble, after seeing over the past 3 weeks what passes for hand luggage on American as well as Alaskan...at least on Horizon (who operate smaller planes like Dash 8's), the big bags can't fit into the smaller overhead compartments and have to be checked into the hold.

dajop · #4 (**permalink**) 16th January 2006, 12:59 AM

Yup totally agree with Dave & Lindsay. Takes a while to put the kitchen sink into the overhead luggage rack in the US. We don't allow kitchen sinks on planes here. What I found really surprising in US (on AA) that boarding started 30mins (or more?) before departure. Half the time here they're still disembarking pax from the last flight at the 30 min point.

Yada Yada · #5 (**permalink**) 16th January 2006, 02:34 AM

DJ's boarding from the front and rear doors certainly makes the process quicker.

Kiwi Flyer · #6 (**permalink**) 16th January 2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dajop

Yup totally agree with Dave & Lindsay. Takes a while to put the kitchen sink into the overhead luggage rack in the US. We don't allow kitchen sinks on planes here. What I found really surprising in US (on AA) that boarding started 30mins (or more?) before departure. Half the time here they're still disembarking pax from the last flight at the 30 min point.

Likewise in europe. Some aircraft have 30 minute turnarounds.

Best one that I can recall was a couple of days ago. SQ in NRT - a completly full 747 started boarding 10 minutes before scheduled departure and pushed back right on time.