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The US airlines’ system of roughly allowing people to board in the order corresponding to how much they pay (with up to 9 distinct groups) looks a little silly

The US airlines’ system of roughly allowing people to board in the order corresponding to how much they pay (with up to 9 distinct groups) looks a little silly now.

kmonsen 7y ago
If you are the airline it seems to work out since you are actually turning this into a money making opportunity? The real issue is if the slow boarding is costing the airline more than the money than they earn from charging from upgrades. Also consider that the people paying for expensive seats might be sad if they don't get to board early which again might affect airline revenue. I think airlines is pretty happy with the current situation, and that the passenger boarding speed is not costing them money so this is all good. This is just an (somewhat educated?) guess.
- paulmd 7y ago
  Yeah, as long as you are "overlapping" boarding and servicing, I think the servicing of the aircraft takes longer than the boarding/unboarding, so it does not actually delay the rate at which the aircraft can be turned around. The action of boarding the aircraft takes 10 minutes longer, but it's 10 minutes that you were going to be sitting on the ground anyway while the plane is fuelled and loaded up with meals/etc.
- throwaheyy 7y ago
  The thing is, people are not paying extra just to board early, they're mostly paying for the bigger seat, more space, more personal service. The "priority boarding" is just icing on the cake, a "cable channels package" tactic thrown in to make the customer feel like they're not getting ripped off as much. Assuming that boarding is not in the critical path, airlines could adopt a faster boarding system and get the plane turned around faster without turning down that extra revenue.
  - lonelappde 7y ago
    Unless you are in first class,. boarding early is worse -- it's more time on the plane
    - kmonsen 7y ago
      If you are in first class you can do whatever you want and the airline will politely thank you. At least this is my experience when flying business or first class. In general, the airline lets you board at your time or later
- jrs235 7y ago
  >Also consider that the people paying for expensive seats might be sad if they don't get to board early which again might affect airline revenue. Consider they would be pissed if overhead bin space isn't available for them so they have to jet way check their carry-on luggage and then wait when they arrive or find overhead space further back the airplane which just leads to a cluster mess trying to deplane upon arrival.
mrweasel 7y ago
Which is a little weird, because those who pay more get to board earlier... but why would anyone want to board a plane earlier? Personally I would like to board at the last possible time, but I not going to un-board until the busiest people have left the plane.

The US airlines’ system of roughly allowing people to board in the order corresponding to how much they pay (with up to 9 distinct groups) looks a little silly now.

kmonsen 7y ago

If you are the airline it seems to work out since you are actually turning this into a money making opportunity? The real issue is if the slow boarding is costing the airline more than the money than they earn from charging from upgrades. Also consider that the people paying for expensive seats might be sad if they don't get to board early which again might affect airline revenue. I think airlines is pretty happy with the current situation, and that the passenger boarding speed is not costing them money so this is all good. This is just an (somewhat educated?) guess.

paulmd 7y ago
Yeah, as long as you are "overlapping" boarding and servicing, I think the servicing of the aircraft takes longer than the boarding/unboarding, so it does not actually delay the rate at which the aircraft can be turned around. The action of boarding the aircraft takes 10 minutes longer, but it's 10 minutes that you were going to be sitting on the ground anyway while the plane is fuelled and loaded up with meals/etc.
throwaheyy 7y ago
The thing is, people are not paying extra just to board early, they're mostly paying for the bigger seat, more space, more personal service. The "priority boarding" is just icing on the cake, a "cable channels package" tactic thrown in to make the customer feel like they're not getting ripped off as much. Assuming that boarding is not in the critical path, airlines could adopt a faster boarding system and get the plane turned around faster without turning down that extra revenue.
- lonelappde 7y ago
  Unless you are in first class,. boarding early is worse -- it's more time on the plane
  - kmonsen 7y ago
    If you are in first class you can do whatever you want and the airline will politely thank you. At least this is my experience when flying business or first class. In general, the airline lets you board at your time or later
jrs235 7y ago
>Also consider that the people paying for expensive seats might be sad if they don't get to board early which again might affect airline revenue. Consider they would be pissed if overhead bin space isn't available for them so they have to jet way check their carry-on luggage and then wait when they arrive or find overhead space further back the airplane which just leads to a cluster mess trying to deplane upon arrival.

mrweasel 7y ago

Which is a little weird, because those who pay more get to board earlier... but why would anyone want to board a plane earlier? Personally I would like to board at the last possible time, but I not going to un-board until the busiest people have left the plane.