Why Airlines Won’t Fix Inefficient Boarding
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Have you ever wondered why we board airplanes the way we do and if there's a faster way? There are numerous different methods to board airplanes: front-to-back, back-to-front, random, unassigned seating and WILMA. While multiple studies have tried to determine which one is the most efficient, airlines aren't always focusing on that. That's because they're generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year from boarding products. CNBC got a behind-the-scenes look at Southwest Airline's experiment in Atlanta where the company is prototyping new solutions to speed up the process. Will we see a faster boarding method in the future?
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Boarding in 2023
04:42 - Efficiency
9:00 - The future of boarding
Produced and Shot by: Emily Lorsch
Shot and Edited by: Erin Black
Senior Managing Producer: Tala Hadavi
Animation: Jason Reginato, Mithra Krishnan
Post Production Support by: Darren Geeter
Additional Footage: Getty Images, United Airlines
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Why Airlines Won’t Fix Inefficient Boarding
I think that the biggest cause of delays with boarding is the fact that so many passengers pack their luggage in the overhead because checked luggage is overly expensive.
also because of the risk that airlines/airports will lose/mishandle luggage, especially if there are multiple layovers involved in the flight!
In my experience the best time to board is dead last. less crowds, stay cool in the airport, no waiting putting luggage in over head bins. Your bin may be full but they will always be available space somewhere. Also I like to be last to leave the plane.
@@PickledHam That's my strategy, too. No matter where you sit, it's going to be uncomfortable. Might as well just chill and don't compete with the crowd. You're going to be in that tube too long anyway so why spend one more minute than necessary in there. My ultimate solution has been to never, ever fly anywhere again for the rest of my life. I'll drive in my own car three days or just not go at all.
@@PickledHamno they won't be available. Sounds like misinformation to make people lose their luggage
The airlines should be required to give passengers an allowance of one piece of checked luggage. This is a safety risk as well as an inconvenience for all passengers. Don't get me started about how it is a cash grab by the airlines. Eventually there will be a serious accident where it is shown that excessive carry on luggage results in increased fatalities. Only then will there be change.
Shout out to the people who just bring one bag, sit in their seat, and put their backpack under their seat.
yes, so many people bring 2 big bag and make the overhead full. full of ego.
Thanks bro 😎
@@anggawibawa163 The problem is the airlines charge extra to stow bags, and treat those bags like GARBAGE (if they do not lose them entirely!).
That is the way to roll. Also, people need to stop standing up and trying to get their bags as soon as the plane lands. You're still going to have to wait. People are just inpatient morons sometimes.
AMEM
In the mid 90s I was at a job interview in Jacksonville FL returning to my home in Atlanta GA flying on Delta (who seemed "own" Hartsfield at that time). The plane coming from Atlanta to Jacksonville which was the plane we were going to board was late. The gate agent announced the plane was late and it was the only plane that was late in the Delta system. The only way to get us out of there on time was to forego any boarding priorities. He said we can turn this plane around and get you to Atlanta on time only if we board back to front with first class boarding last. He further went on to say that 90 per cent of you have connecting flights and none of the flights will be held because you're late as this is the only plane that is late in the Delta system (driving the point). What he did next was absolutely genius he said if this does not work for you, please come up and tell me in front of all your fellow travelers and then we will go to the normal boarding position making 90% of you miss your connections. People looked at each other as if they were at a gunfight at the OK Corral no one moved, and I believe we were on that plane in 10 minutes and in the air on time.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 man ur good at telling a story!
@@egdapo Thank you
Sounds smart! I hope those folks who paid extra for early boarding got some of their money back, though...
@@chocolatethunder192 it was 1994 prior to the airlines charging for everything.
So what you are saying is that Delta through whatever issue had a plane tht was late. It was totally thier fault for it being late, but this gate agent turned it around and stated it was late due to their issues and now it being late is your issue so can you just throw money away on their being late. Yeah that seems to be the std airplane theory.
I took a few flights in Australia and they would board the plane from the front and rear doors at the same time. Just being able to load from both ends simultaneously was really efficient.
YES! Why isn't this a thing? Most planes have two doors... this would in theory improve boarding time 2x. Why didn't they even mention it in this video?
That's how most European low-cost carrier (Ryanair, Easyjet..) are doing, there's only 2 groups those with priority and the others then it splits in 2 those who enter by the front and those by the back.
Even better, more doors.
When a plane i on the tarmac anyway just have 4 doors running, the biggest wait is Mabel trying to get all her stuff out of the overhead.
They do the same thing in Scandinavia with SAS flights.
More pricey airlines would likely not implement this since there are no jetways to the back of the plane
I used to want to board quickly, but the more flying experience I had, the more I realized that the best thing (for me at least) is to enjoy the open space of the gate area as long as possible, before stuffing myself in a sardine can for the flight. Now I'm happy to board last, and the funny thing I've noticed is that I land at the destination at pretty much the same time as everyone else!
Funny how that works.
so true!
shhhhhhhh - don't publish that! If the rest of the cattle figure that out we are screwed. I often fly first class, but don't leave the lounge until after boarding has started. by the time i get to the gate the line is either gone or nearly gone. even in first class, why do I want to spend any more time in that seat than i absolutely have to. Same with everyone fighting to get off the plane first, only to stand around waiting at the luggage pick up. (although i think its usually jags and cheapskates trying to carry an entire mobile home onto the plane that fight to get on first so they can take all the overhead space and establish their tent city.)
Let us not forget that no matter how quick you get off, you won't get your luggage sooner than anyone else
board last and if youre in the cheapseats, move forward mid flight to get off as quick as poss. pro tip. ur welcome
I'll never understand why it's treated as such a priviliege to board first, the plane still takes off at the same time and you just end up sitting around waiting for everyone else to board.
@@phillipwong3754Ditto.
The preflight drink though 😁
Same. I prefer to board last 😅
Smaller planes tend to not have enough overhead bin space for the carryon of every passenger, which is why those with small children (i.e. bulky diaper bags) and servicemembers (who may have extra gear or sensitive items that must stay within reach at all times) are invited first.
Those unlucky to board after all the bins are filled would be forced to gate check whatever doesn't fit underneath the seat, which may or may not be a problem depending on what you packed.
Bin space, doesnt take a rocket scientist
Every time I take a flight I’m reminded of why I love trains so much.
Believe me, the international carriers are just as bad
Yes, we need more trains in the US. Traveling by plane is pretty barbaric now, especially with all the Boeing planes being pieces of crap.
The key is effective overhead control. Airlines could easily save 10 minutes by assigning overhead space to each seat. Mark or tag 1/3 of an overhead section to each of the 3 seats under it. Each passenger's overhead stuff must fit in that 1/3 of compartment.
Yea they don’t enforce overhead space like they should because if I get on the plane late, and my seat is 10A, it shouldn’t be occupied. 🤷🏾♀️
@@13ikea Yea, well do the math, the amount of space you are allowed to take up requires that 2/3rds of passengers don't use the overhead bin space.
There's physically not an even amount of bin space to seats. It's designed thinking most will NOT carry on, therefore they didn't build 1:1 seat to bin space
@13ikea how do you propose they "enforce " the bin space? The FAs have other duties to perform during boarding. And if they were to instead walk through the cabin, doing so would just impede boarding
@@nexusSix_237 that is not factual....there is enough overhead space for every passenger IF they all only brought on the carryon baggage that is stipulated by the airlines e.g. dimensions, weight, etc....but people do not comply which is why everyone tries to get to the front of the queue to get storage......enforce the carryon rules and then the boarding and deplaning times will decrease greatly.
As long as airlines make more money selling boarding positions than what they lose due to slower turnaround times, boarding is not going to change
Southwest is actually reducing the amount of earlybird check-in’s they have it’s not gonna be available on every flight.
"How Airlines Quietly Became Banks"
And flight attendants get even more screwed with blatant wage theft, being that they are not on the clock until the doors are closed.
And those silly systems just make it even slower because it creates even more confusion and queues.
News flash! Companies do things to make money instead of losing money!
The obsession of when you board boils down to making sure you have an overhead bin for a carry on. If every single passenger knew they were guaranteed an overhead bin OR no passenger was allowed a carry on at all, then it wouldn’t matter when you boarded. I’m convinced most airlines made things worse years ago by charging for checked bags, thus incentivizing passengers to carry as much crap as possible with them in the cabin.
This is undoubtedly true. Charging for checked bags is a real problem for efficiency. Free checked bags speeds things up for everyone. Even for folks like me who often have good reason not to want to check bags, there will be enough people happy to check for free that suddenly overhead bins aren't a problem and boarding will be quicker. It's just a money grab that significantly reduces the quality of customer experience.
@@d_dave7200 There is also a service issue. A lot of people have also said they stick to carry-on because you can be sure your luggage will be there when you arrive. I've only had that misfortune once long ago so I'm still happy to gate-check, but I understand if someone's had too many bags delayed or lost or damaged to cease trusting the checking process.
I only use airlines that include hold luggage in the price of the ticket, so everyone that wants to use it will, and then my hand luggage fits under my seat. I don't understand why they don't do the reverse and charge for oversized hand luggage instead: surely they want bags in the hold?
Next time you travel, ask the gate agent about gate checking your bag. Thank me later 😎
If they don't charge for a checked bag then the cost is put into the base fare.
Weight is absolute cost for a plane. So if I don't have a checked bag I save $20.
Otherwise I gate check my bag and I don't have to carry it on.
It's super easy
Except people want to play games like overstuffing their bag. Or refusing to gate check only to have the bins full delaying the flight
On several flights on United, I saw many passengers who sat in the back place their carry-ons in the first available overhead bins they saw up front before taking their seats in the back of the plane. This caused the people who sat in those front seats to have to walk to the back of the plane for available overhead bins. When the plane lands, these poor people had to wait until the entire plane was empty before retrieving their bags.
Truth! There are ALOT of selfish people who do this. The good FA's will not let it happen.
I do this only if the seats under said overhead are already occupied, so no people will get screwed out of overhead bin space.
How is that possible when the passengers in the back are last to board? 😂
😂😂😂😂 trolling the front seat passengers
Yup I’ve seen it too. I also watched a flight crew ask who belonged to a bag and when none of the people nearby claimed it they got in teh PA. The door wouldn’t close. They made the guy come from the back of the plane and remove his bag to gate check it.
I never understood why people want to board first. You have everyone waiting behind you, and you just sit there waiting for everyone to board. I’d rather wait in the open airport than in the cramped plane.
Exactly. Thank you! You only want to board first if you need to much overhead space! If you travel with less stuff it is so much less stress!
I enjoy continuing to sit in the waiting area until almost everyone has boarded, watching in amusement the masses that are so impatient to queue up, only to end up standing and standing and stressing for half an hour... As if that will help them take off before me. And myself, I just stroll on board once the congestion clears up, all well-rested. And as soon as I am on the plane, I do not need to wait long for the flight to begin.
Mostly because people want to use the overheads. If you are last, you may end up having to check your carry ons.
Imagine if everybody waited until last.
@@johnarnold893 Last few passengers in one's zone queue, not last boarding call...
The best boarding process I ever experienced was at the Oita Airport in Japan. Everyone got into one big randomized line that stretched half-way across the entire terminal. The check-in attendant had a scanner gun and was scanning tickets with John Wick level ability. If you didn't have your ticket out and ready you got sent to the back of the line to try again. I started at the back of the line and once the line started moving I practically walked directly onto the plane because the flow of the queue never stopped for a second.
that has less to do with the system as "random" is pretty much the standard system anyway. It has more to do with japanese society and culture of standing in a queue, not bothering people, following rules and trying to be as little of a bother to others as possible.
I stood at a train station on my first day in tokyo and was just dreaming when, after 2 minutes, a queue formed behing me. I wasn'T even standing near the correct position to enter a train, but because I was the first, people took me as their "Queue leader" and thus we walked in like this into the train. japan just works.
@@jemand8462 I'm sure the culture helps somewhat but there was a share of messiness. It took a few minutes to get everyone into the queue to start with, but also telling everyone to just get in one line was much easier to follow than stages (I don't even speak Japanese).
And the other was the sending people back A _lot_ of people did not have their boarding pass ready. Sending them immediately back in line instead of waiting for them to dig through their bags I think was the real key at getting the movement continuing.
@@kueller917 I can just see the result of a gate person telling someone to go to the back of the line here in the U.S. It would not go well!
@@kevind814 - Exactly and that's what OP meant by 'culture'. People around the world are not as ENTITLED in US where it's just gotten out of control. People will argue no end if someone is sent to back of the queue!.. They argue with law enforcement (even after blatant crimes) then do you think Gate agents stand a chance
@@kevind814 Some people didn't go back but they did just wait on the side. Not too bad when the wait time is like 5 minutes. But also the way that woman was no-scoping boarding passes I wouldn't want to start a fight with her.
I flew first class a couple of times during the pandemic when they boarded the back of the plane to the front of the plane to minimize crossover. Being in first class I boarded last and it was glorious. The plane loaded efficiently and quickly with this method. The only concern with this method is that bin space by your seat is available. I would be all for changing this and making it permanent but airlines are addicted to the up-charge fee.
That's the issue. Even flying Domestic or no flat-bed seats in Business/First does not guarantee you space in the overhead bin. I used to board last, but then had a couple of instances when the overhead bin in Business was already full by other passengers in Economy and my carry-on had to be checked which I hated since one time that carry-on was "lost".
Agreed. Board in the last and just carry a backpack.
@@sak_5I don't know what 3rd rate airline let economy passengers put bags in first class before first was boarded. Passengers are not allowed to do that, but the attendants will if the economy bins are full.
@@paulgallagher2937 You forgot one important detail. I said I used to board LAST (when they are about to close the door) until I had the experience 2 times where all bin spaces were taken bevause flight attendants had used 1st class bins to store luggage from economy. This only happens where business/1st class seats don’t go flat, in other words, domestic or short flights. On long-haul flights where you have flat seats, I’ve never had that issue and I continue boarding last.
Apparently this is what flying first class USED to mean. Originally it meant you could arrive at the last minute and still have a wonderful place - less time on the plane, which is obviously less comfortable than not in a plane.
Passengers who bring luggage on board that is they struggle with because it's too heavy or they're too short, are the bane of air travel. They slow everything down.
I mostly fly Southwest. One issue I find is that some early boarders want to sit in the back but want to store their carry on in the front. They hold up traffic while they store it and later boarders lack a place to stow.
Space in overhead bins should be assigned to the seats below them. Baggage that overflows the assigned space or is stored in the wrong bin should be removed and checked. Another option is to remove the overhead bins and raise the seats to make more room to store baggage under the seat.
Absolutely
There isn’t always enough space for every seat above them. If the airlines could correct that having space to place 3 carry-on roller cases on the side vs just 2 + maybe a backpack that would be a tremendous help. Some bins also have other flight related gear in them taking up space.
Wait... How does it work there?
In Oz we get 7kg carry on split between a "small bag" like a purse that can sit under the seat, and a big bag about the size of a backpack/small luggage bag.
If you need more, it goes under. Rates aren't too crazy.
This I have also lobbied for, as a gate agent. You should have the space above your seat, for your carry on. It should be one carry on, small bag, and one that fits underneath the seat. Far too many bring on large carry ons that take up two spaces, therefore denying others.
Not everyone uses the overhead bins, so that is a stupid idea.
The thing that drives me crazy is that people are always in a rush, UNTIL it is their turn and they are blocking everyone else. At that point they slow down to a snail's pace organizing their things, packing and unpacking, before finally sitting down or getting off. If you could just dump your bags directly into the well of the plane or there was some other way to guarantee people their bags won't get lost, things would probably be a lot better. It also seems it would be a lot more efficient if planes boarded from the back or even the middle.
😂
i think i know why that happens - in grocery store when everyone in queue for checkout, person next after me will start lay down its goods from the basket on the conveyor belt only after my queue comes; same things happen in aeroprt - people dont think to prepare their luggage before their turn comes
It would also be helpful if it wasn't that godamn tight in the plane and crowded with ... people.
I know people judge Southwest and don’t like not having a seat assignment but they do have the fast boarding times. The no baggage fees is great.
With the late flights, flights being booked too closely together, overpacked flights, smaller seats, and not to mention how much costs have gone up, they have taken the fun out of flying for me. It use to be my favorite thing to do.
Costs have actually DROPPED!!!!! DO SOME RESEARCH!!!!!
@@johnp139 Can you help me research how to find what the price for a flight (this is an example) from Boston to LA would've been two years ago compared to today? Or whatever flight path you would like to use to compare...Basically, how would I find what ANY flight was compared to that same flight today? Thanks for the help, in advance♥
Coming from Australia, the boarding process in the US is crazy. The mad dash for (any!) Overhead locker to put your bags, regardless of where your seat is causes chaos.
There are no locks on the overhead BINS!
Agreed, but what's the alternative?
When we loaded busses in the military, we would load back to front. We would keep our bag with us in the seat. Then when everyone was seated, the bags would get put away. It was so efficiently quick.
Now now you’re going to hurt the people in first classes feelings.
I LOVE this!!! Super informative!!!
One of the things airlines could do to speed boarding is to standardize the size of the overhead luggage compartment for ALL planes, regardless of airline or make of aircraft. Meaning that no one will ever run into the VERY common instance where the carry-on bag you took on the 777 flight from LA to Atlanta... suddenly won't fit in the 737max flight from Altanta to Charlotte, NC.
Don't airports have those boxes at check-in for hand luggage? If it doesn't fit in the box, then it has to go in the hold - that shouldn't be happening *on* the aircraft.
yeah they should just replace all their planes that have smaller luggage compartments to save a couple minutes of boarding time. that definitely is the solution.
@@hannahk1306 That's only for domestic flights. And even then, older planes have overhead bins that are much smaller than newer planes. So it happens far too often to count.
Which then leads to people having to have last minute check-on bags. (just like for regional commuter jets, like an Embraer.
And we aren't even getting into the international flights that arrive in the US. Their overhead luggage requirements will be different than the US.
They can't be expected to swap out their carry-on luggage in mid-transit.
@@jetfowl I've only ever taken international flights, so I have no idea about domestic flights but pretty sure it's the same check-in desk.
Yes different airlines have different sizes, but that's why they have the bin at check-in and also provide the information in advance so you can choose a bag that fits. The only reason that a bag shouldn't fit is if there's a lot of hand luggage on that particular flight, which is more a question of capacity than size.
The planes are physically different sizes. How do you standardize space when the fuselage size is different?
My biggest peeve is why can’t airlines use the doors in the rear to board passengers.
Before sky bridges, I remember airplanes having two sets of stairs - one in front and another in rear.
That used to allow passengers from both ends to board.
Passengers sitting in rear used to take the rear stairs and everyone used to get on super quick.
In the EU it's still the norm for budget airlines to board using at least 2 doors on the tarmac, Ryanair may be a cheap airline but their turnaround is impressively smooth and fast. My best experience was with Vueling though when they have 1 crew member constantly telling people how to prepare, when to prepare, to have their tickets at the ready, which door to take based on their seats and made sure that plane took off with minutes to spare.
THIS!
Yes, I confirm this.
Also the 737 of Ryanair has embedded stairs on the front door to speedup the boarding process and you always board in the front or in the rear door (in the boarding pass is specified in which door you should enter)
You know that process cost more money and has more moving parts with regards to security, safety, and the need for more equipment to operate a single flight, in an already limited space environment?
@@lorenzopavez7081 That cost more money and increases the weight of the airplane by having that option.
As a frequent flyer of 20 years I can that the biggest issue is people bum rushing the gate. They know good and well that they are zone 4 but they insist on running up to the gate thinking they are first only to be turned away and then linger around the gate blocking everyone else from boarding. In addition to that I have found that most gates do not have enough seats and are not designed to accommodate all of the passengers. It’s like architects have never flown and think that a gate that services an airplane that holds 250 people only needs enough space to seat 50 people. So this results in people lingering around the gate blocking everyone from boarding.
Exactly
And the fact that everyone puts bags in the overhead bins since it costs an arm and leg to check a bag now
It's not even just boarding order. The plane will be sitting at the gate waiting to taxi in. Everyone starts crowding in the front to get on. There's still a plane full of people waiting to get off, then they have to clean and do security checks. That's a minimum of 20 minutes. Then it's another minimum 20 minutes to board. May as well call it an hour. But hey, good for you a**hat for being the first in line.
This happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I was in boarding group 4 and was stood queuing behind lots of people who were in group 9 yet stood right in front of the gates blocking them for everyone else despite knowing they would be getting on last. I think both common sense and etiquette have gone out the window.
It's similar to how everyone tries to push past when getting off the plane, knowing full well there's people in front who need to get off first. On a flight from London to Phoenix last year, I genuinely had a women ask me to 'shove past everyone' getting off so she could make her connecting flight (we all had connecting flights!). This ended in an argument with her and the man in front who I refused push over for her but he overheard this woman asking me to.
The airlines need to hire thugs with cattle prods to keep order at the gates.
To me the one of the biggest problems is the hub system that we now have. When I started flying, you flew directly to your destination, not to some faraway airport and then turn around and fly back. I understand international flight hubs, but when you fly in the states, say from Richmond to somewhere else, you have to go to Charlotte or Atlanta. In the wintertime, Chicago O'Hare is guaranteed to be delayed. In Atlanta I have sat on the ground waiting to find a gate and waiting to take off.
The last few times I flew, I noticed that several airlines have the carry on 'Will it fit? ' cage on the floor, but I never saw any airline employee checking anyones bags. Then when you get on the aircraft you have all these people with huge carry on bags that will not fit in the overhead or under the seat. I saw at times that the last several people boarding had to check their carry on bags at the end of the skybridge as the carry on bins were full. The little cages seemed to be different sizes depending on the airline.
I think boarding could be much faster if there was a standard size for carry on for all airlines and all bags were checked for size before going through TSA search, so those that wouldn't fit would be checked. Yes this means someone has to pay for the checking person but considering what an airline pays for missing their takeoff slot, it would be cheaper to have the plane ready sooner by eliminating the aisle blocking/row blocking people trying to cram their 20# bag into a 10# overhead bin space.
This is what budget airlines like spirit and frontier do. They size everyone’s bag before boarding. I hate those airlines but the sizing of the bags actually makes sense.
Checking your bag at the gate is a way to avoid the cost of a checked bag. You just saved yourself $50 but making them do it at the gate.
Believe me things would be a whole lot different if airports charged more for slow turnaround or the airline had to pay its flight crew while the plane is on the ground.
True, but if they paid the flight crew what would the flight crew have to complain about on their Instagram channels?? I guess they could brag about how rude and obnoxious they could be and get away with it.
Airports do charge for a slow turnaround though via missed slot fees?
There are several reasons why boarding takes so long:
1. Passengers don't know what they're doing
2. They have carry-on luggage that do not fit in the overhead or under the seats properly, thus blocking the line as they try to figure out what to do
3. They pack their carry-on luggage so heavy where they themselves are not able to properly lift it up to be placed in the overhead bin
4. They don't check their boarding pass and properly locate their boarding group and/or row + seat
5. Some passengers take their sweet a** time when they handle their carry-ons at their seats. Sometimes they're block the row as well. It's like they're out to lunch and the world must wait for them, no matter how long it takes
I have the highest earned status with United and I genuinely love my pre-boarding perk. Don't have to stand in line jocking for overhead bin space.
Frequent fliers tend to be the folks that board much quicker because we fly so much and we're trying to depart on time. It's the infrequent fliers that cause problems.
For me, the problem is overhead space, including first class. The amount of time I have had to tell people (including first class) to put their tiny backpacks under the seat in front of them because my actual carry on can't fit is insane.
@@Minka_6 Have you considered planning out your packing a bit better? I travel a lot and never need to use overhead bins for any trip less than a month
!00% on the infrequent fliers who gum up the works. If everyone behaved like a frequent flier the bottlenecks would be gone...
@@mikea5745 sadly, I can only fit a few days in backpack only. When I go for a week or more, I'm going to need a carry on (I almost never check in a bag).
Not to mention the people who need to take off or put on 2 layers of clothing before they sit 🤦🏾♂️
Funniest thing is that offboarding is really the only thing that matters. Not like getting to your seat sooner means the plane will take off sooner.... you always have the chance of getting stuck
Very interesting! I hope the optimization of the boarding methods yield reduced time and increased revenues for Southwest Airlines, as it will surely be appreciated by the customers.
The worst is "gate lice", those people that line up in a big bunch the second boarding is called and don't let anyone through. It happens everywhere and delays everyone!!
That's why boarding takes so long
100%
The groups that are, say, families grouped together for some huge vacation a wearing the same celebratory T-shirts, families headed for a reunion, and high school/collegiate sports teams heading to and from some sort of tournament, FWIW, are definitely among the worst offenders. I know, I was flying Southwest to Texas last year and saw this first hand.
For many airlines, that does not add any extra time. Many airlines will immediately announce the next boarding group once it's clear that everyone from the current boarding group has had a chance to line up. With that system, the limiting factor at the gate to getting people onto the plane are the agents scanning boarding passes (and perhaps verifying carry-on luggage sizes). You'll notice that those gate agents are continuously feeding people through, at least until the plane itself gets backed up from people trying to sit down. The only way people crowding around the boarding area can slow down the boarding process is if the gate agent waits to ensure that absolutely everyone from the current boarding group has boarded before announcing the next one. Doing that is inefficient.
These are also the bozos who crowd right up to the luggage conveyor so that no one else can see the bags coming instead of staying back behind the line until something shows up that might be theirs.
Good to see Southwest is investing in waiting line theories instead of something frivolous like scheduling software. 🙂
Why not both?
The issue is one can have the most efficient boarding process in the universe, but if one doesn't have state of the art scheduling software, no one is going anywhere!
And if people just can’t seem to,understand how the system works and just want to push ahead if everyone else! I have no problem with the way Southwest handles boarding - what I hate are the people who think they are so,special that they can’t even wait till their section is ready to line up or those who just don’t understand how numbers work! Oh, and stop trying to fill up the first overhead compartments with your luggage when yiu are going to find a seat further back in the plane - it doesn’t make it faster for you to get off! For my part, I never- as in never get right up as soon as allowable - I wait for a break plus I don’t have anything in overhead storage! Whatever I carry goes at my feet under the seat in front of me! I do have a suitcase that could legally be used for overhead but I always check it anyway!
In a fair few Australian airports, you will board rows 1-15 through front door, and 15-30 through the rear door (for 737s and 320s or similar)
I've been flying Southwest for years. I'm good with their boarding process. I just try to check in early to get an early boarding position. It works good for me. The higher percentage of frequent or passengers who are familar with Southwest boarding process, the smoother and faster it goes.
The unassigned opened seating is so much easier to manage compared to assigned seating. On non-Southwest flights, I've had passengers sit in my assigned window seat without asking thinking I wouldn't mind taking a different seat. I've seen arguments between passengers break out because people are in the wrong seats deliberately or by mistake. I prefer Southwest open seating. Early bird gets more choice of seats.
it IS amazing however, no matter how many times I fly SW (which I try to do as much as I can) people are either complaining about the open seating or act surprised that is the policy when they get there. Go ahead, buy a ticket and PAY for a seat if you like on another airline. For me as well, I make sure I'm ready to check in when I need and I ALWAYS get the seat I want. 'I didn't know there were different boarding groups" Really? EVERYONE has boarding groups.
Works great until you have connecting flights and your incoming flight arrives late, causing you to be late for your connecting flight and you end up boarding last. That's when you'll appreciate how great assigned seating is.
one of the biggest issues is the phasing out of wide body planes, having 2 isles is huge as people can get around others who are painfully slow sitting in a seat
Narrowbody aircraft are a particular nuisance!
You totally got the point! I always fly with wide body planes and I could get on the plane in 15 mins even I was sitting at the last row of the 777-300ER plane. But for a 737, I could spend 15 mins and still stuck in the middle.
Airlines have made boarding more difficult by discouraging checked bags and making aisles more narrow.
My preference is to check my bag, board last and sit in my assigned seat. The key is not needing overhead space and having a preassigned seat.
There needs to be a humane minimum amount of space to accommodate people's skeletons. I say skeletons because we don't control our skeleton size. This is an issue for seat width and leg room.
Leg room is not an issue for me, because I'm 5', when I flew international, my legs could reach the ground and have to put my feet on my backpack on the floor. Overall, it uncomfortable but.... on well 😑
@@___beyondhorizon4664it’s nice that you are so small. in europe, people tend to be tall. my boyfriend cannot fir his knees inside the assigned leg room because his legs are too long as he is around 2m tall.
Average seat width is 16.5 inches and the average shoulder width of men is 16 inches. That means you have no wiggle room and if you're even slightly wider than average (due to muscles, fat, or genetically wider skeleton) you'll have to keep your arms squished in. At least with your legs you can bend them but it's not physically possible to make your shoulders and hips suddenly smaller.
@@empressmarowynn yep. I could lose weight but I measured shoulder bone to shoulder bone and even as a skeleton I would be wider than airline seat width.
You do control which seat you buy, though. If you need more space, buy a bigger one.
Disembarking is the most annoying part in my opinion. Boarding isn’t fun but I am more annoyed about getting out after 3 hours in a hot tube and everyone is busily trying to get stuff out of their bins.
Carry-ons dramatically delay boarding and deboarding. The airlines should charge for carry-ons and make checked baggae free. There would be fewer delays.
In the back of a single aisle long plane it can easily take over 20 minutes from the time the door is opened to finally be moving. Sometimes even longer. Very upsetting to still be on the airplane when the person up front is already at their hotel.
@@oldtwinsna8347 Especially if you did not jam up the overhead bins with your luggage and you are ready to go
Last trip on Ryanair I got row 4 (fast exit) 'randomly' and on return emergency exit (extra legroom) 'randomly'. As a handluggage only (20 litre runner's backpack) passenger, suits me great. People moan about Ryanair, but if it leaves on-time (or early) and has no accidents (despite being huge) I'm one happy customer.
Yea, Steffen missed a major constraint. Many people travel in groups that generally sit together and aren't going to want to split up. His technique is an interesting though experiment but is more academic and realistic.
Splitting up can actually slow people down. For example my wife is short enough that she struggles to put her stuff in the overhead, my son can't do it at all. Splitting people up is the opposite of useful.
@@getoffamylan6844 I agree, what if you are travelling with young kids (but over 2 so they can't pre-board) and they have window/aisle seats - like that is really going to work.
Steffen's "solution" is not a real solution.
Especially families with young kids.
Yeah, as much as I like his toy simulation, IRL is a lot more complicated, with too many constraints to model. Does he account for the obese person who can barely fit in a seat? The person who sits in the wrong seat? Suboptimal packing of overhead bins? Hangovers and Xanax zombies? Empirical methods and A-B testing are much more effective here. That thing about high BPM music is brilliant!
I also think the design of the overhead bins could be improved substantially here. Ex. How about adjustable bin partitions so that the total volume of space can be better utilized?
@@getoffamylan6844 yup, the putting baggages in the bin is a tricky part
I am shocked everyone doesn't have to pitch in an extra $5 to pay for the pilots at this point.
I would pitch in if it meant the plane left on time
Because many cheat and claim they need extra assistance or ask for a wheelchair.
It's probably in the fees they charge for the fee of the fee
Pilot gratuity haha
Shhhhh! Dont give them ideas!
Steffen method can be implemented in ticketing system. Software just needs to bundle correct seats into zone 1,2,3... but for couples or families, this might not be ideal.
I’ve often thought a more efficient way of boarding would be outside to inside, back to front. It would minimize the amount of ppl stumbling over or around other people. I like Steffen’s method too, seems very effective. I’ve flown southwest a couple times and really like their no assigned seat method. It works really well.
Works great if no one is late or in a group or need luggage bag space no connecting flights all the seats were the same the rules were explained before everyone bought tickets
To sum it up, Money for convenience
In other words, capitalism.
What gets me is unless you have a connecting flight, what is the reason to immediately jump out into the aisle of the middle-back of the plane just to wait there 15 minutes for the front rows to go.
Some people want to stretch their legs and move to avoid blood clots after sitting for hours.
Some people just want to stand after sitting for a period of time. Especially if it's a long flight
I usually try to get off as quickly as possible. If someone is just standing there in front me waiting, I'll ask them to move over. I don't get why people wait for people in the window seat ahead of them to get out when they could just go without getting in the persons way
I notice that if people don't do that, then those in the rows behind you jump up and rush forward and clog the aisle anyway. Then you have to wait for them to get off and the people in front of you.
Once you go into the aisle, get moving. Why do people need to block the aisle by waiting for slowpokes in the seats in front who aren't ready yet? If you're not ready to get up and leave then sit there and wait for everyone else to get off.
Back in December I flew from MCO to PHX and they were testing this new boarding process. It was way way more confusing. It was like three turnstile booth, they call you group, you scan at turnstile and the automatic doors open. But that took way longer.
I just boarded two JAL wide-body international flights with around 250-300 passengers on each flight. By far, they have the best and fastest boarding system. Everyone was on board in 15 minutes. First of all there were 5 boarding zone flags and everyone was instructed to line up behind their flag BEFORE anyone boarded. That took about 2-3 minutes. Then they started with Group 1. No passport was required - it was facial recognition machines and they had three rows of them. Way faster than having to pull out your passport and boarding pass. Main thing is they had 3-4 staff in charge of boarding and they made you follow the rules.
It was a great experience
Basically they are fascist.
When I have been waiting to board I have never figured out why it takes people so long to get off the plane. You also often see a long break when you assume that everyone is off and then a few more people get off. Then the process occurs again. My suggestion as to how to get people off the planes more quickly is to use either whips or cattle prods.
Getting one's crap out of the overhead bins while blocking the aisle is always what slows down deboarding. Without overhead storage, deboarding would be over in a flash.
Row by row for deboarding is the most inefficient way to do it. It is much quicker if those who are ready just go and don't wait on the slow person in front of them.
Because people wait for the entire row in front of them to get out. Like just go. Don't wait 30 seconds for the person at the window and hold up everyone behind you
I agree withe the two previous comments. Don't wait for people who aren't ready. Being seated in front doesn't mean that everyone behind you should wait until you finally get up.
@@d.jensen5153My husband is a retired aerospace engineer and he has said for years that the overhead storage needs to be removed completely!! People try to cram everything in this areas even when the f,Ishtar attendants tell everyone that coats, etc. should not be stored up there!
It doesn't matter if you're first or last in line -- You've got to wait for everyone to get on either way
but if youre last then the overhead bins might fill up and you're forced to check your carry on
@@MP-ef9yo Just put your carry-on under the seat. Unless you're over packing, a single bag that fits under the seat is plenty big enough for a week or two trip
@@MP-ef9yo You get a personal item, just put everything you need in that and keep it under your seat. If your carryon gets checked it's free and if you already had checked luggage you have to go to the bag claim anyways, so who care? I guess I can see your point if you are packing enough that you can't fit it all in a bag that fits under the seat, but not so much that you have to check bag, so you have a large carryon and you don't want to have to wait on baggage claim when you land, but a lot of the people clamoring to get seated more quickly are just doing it for no real reason.
@@mikea5745 You usually get 1 small item like a bookbag or shoulder bag to put under your seat then a carry on like a duffle bag or small suitcase so there is already something under my seat.
@@mr.munger I never check if I can help it but I do usually have a personal bookbag under my seat and then a duffle bag which I put above but Ive been made to check that on 2 occasions. I don't like the feeling I get not knowing exactly where my bag is and then the wait at baggage claim
I think of a joke of comedian Louie Anderson every time I board a plane. He said, when getting bumped while boarding, “Relax, we’re all taking off at the same time.” I’ll never get upset with boarding again.
As a disabled Passenger ( Walking wounded ) , I generally get on board the aircraft first.... No charge, just get on the plane as quickly as possible, However if you are travelling with Philippine Passengers then expect a delayed departure as they are totally disorganised ! They standin the aisle and discuss everything from weather to their holidays and then they family and relations ! What is needed is for all the doors to be opened and then pile on in ! Mind you I do like the Wilma and Roma system !
Flying Aer Lingus they board from the rear forward. It was the most seem-less and efficient boarding experience I’ve had to date. Everyone was confused at first but the person at the gate said “yes we board back to front, don’t worry eventually everyone will catch on”
This used to be the boarding procedure for U.S. domestic flights years ago
The best flights for boarding I've experienced use both doors and maybe certain rows first (middle ones, then closer to the doors). Then same principle for disembarking: use both doors to get people off quicker and therefore turn the plane around faster.
They are also very strict about carryon bag size. I watched them gate check and charge people who’s carryons were too large. They charged extra for gate check8mg bags to punish people for trying to get away with it.
They have to make sure that a passenger in Row 30 doesn't put his carry on over row 10 so he can just grab on the way off the plane.
This has actually been studied and found to be slower than many other boarding types.
That being said, I think the reason the boarding process is so lengthy now (in the US), is because of the non-stringent bag policies. People take FOREVER getting their bags in overheads, or they don't fit, or people carry on too many bags. There is virtually no restricting this on multiple airlines.
And the reason the carry-on bags got out of control: airlines started charging for all checked bags.
I was on a bunch of flights last spring, and I forget which airline it was that boarded us back to front, but it seemed to go much quicker and easier than any other method.
It’s actually slower
I flew first class this year and couldn't be happier. Then on the return flight I had economy, and I felt like I was being hazed.
Only traveling to a drivable distance for the foreseeable future.
I think carryons not fitting in the overhead is actually the biggest problem. Ppl who get on first but sit in the back take up the front bins with no room left for later passengers except in the back, then you have to go back to your seat, after you arrive you face to figure out how to get your bag. The single best thing they could do to speed up boarding is make everyone put their bags only in the space above them and put smaller bags by their feet. I’ve even bought comfort plus on delta and had others take our bin space then it’s a whole ordeal to figure out what to do. Personally I think they should take checked bags for free, and charge for using the overhead bins.
I will never understand the rush in boarding first whether you’re on first or last we leave at the same time.
Yeah, but the people in the front seats get to the airport 3 seconds faster! 😆
@@getoffamylan6844 you can pay for the front seats but still board last though
Not wanting to gatecheck a carryon because there's no more overhead bin space.
Seriously? Ignorant fool.
@@getoffamylan6844 they disembark faster, much faster in many cases with single aisle planes. I've been on some, sitting in the very back, that took nearly 30 minutes from the time the door was opened to finally get moving. The people up front were already lounging in their hotel room when i was still stuck on that same airplane.
Mangalore Airport in India insists on all airline passengers to start boarding in serial order with last row first. They call out row numbers and passengers go by their respective row. This ensures that aisle is not blocked. People keep flowing down to - as we would say at the bottom of the bottle - their respective rows. This keeps boarding real fast
The video literally explained that boarding front to back or yours back to front is the slowest method
Insane. I always fight to board last and would think this would be the most sought after option. Who wants to sit on a plane any longer than you absolutely have to?
I'm with you. I board as late as possible for this very reason.
Bin space!!!
1) micro-updates of aircraft status before boarding to help calm the passenger nerves
2) stricter bucketing at entry point to disallow people who are entering in a different zone’s call - to make honest passengers happier
3) simpler to read and understand boarding passes and seat markets to avoid confusion when people reach inside the aircraft to avoid delays and annoyances while boarding
4) miminal carry-on luggage allowed to reduce delay and frustration for later passengers
5) fully-assigned seating to avoid people bursting at the boarding gate
6) clear predictability of when boarding would start so that people stop queuing at the boarding gate and create a ruckus
7) strong queuing mechanisms to ensure people are flowing in a streamlined manner
8) clear announcements on what documents are required for boarding
And many other ideas that can help make the customers feel comfortable and secure that they will get a seat that they paid for.
I sit in the terminal until the last call is made and then get up to board. I love my experience when boarding a plane.
Agree, maximise time not on an airplane, then saunter on board at the last call, and smile at the crew and pax awaiting your triumphant arrival…
That only works on Southwest if you're okay with sitting in a middle seat, which most people despise.
On carriers with assigned seating, I guess it works fine, except that you risk needing to gate-check your carry-on bag, because the bins will be full by the time you get aboard.
I guess that you don’t have any carryons?
I fly SW unless they don't have a flight to my destination. Since I don't have to pay for checked baggage that is what I use with little to no carry on luggage. Less stressful not having to worry about finding an overhead space. I can usually get into the "A" line by checking in 24 hours prior to the departure time and be able to pick a window or aisle seat. SW will always be my first choice as long as they don't charge for checked bags.
for me, Lufthansa....i am German!
last time, 13.5 hrs, slept well and good food in the A380 from Singapore!
for everything else in Europe, i use my motorbike or the high speed trains...!
Took a plane yesterday, it was a German company, it was efficient, 1st the people with overhead luggage, and then the people who just had a small bag/backpack, so everything was done in a bit, they could easily check if there was any free space. It's also done by groups, its was one of the fastest I've ever done.
Lufthansa?
"Ok mom, you board a plane and leave your 2 children behind. You'll see 1 kid in about 8 minutes and the other in 15 minutes."... LMFFFAAAOOO
That's the primary reason this boarding would never realistically work imo. If it's all adults, sure. But families really make it infeasible.
Obviously, you know nothing about how Southwest boards their flights. Families with small children board after the A and before the B boarding group.
So probably a unpopular opinion, but I strongly believe that they should seat and board an aircraft where those who aren’t using overnight bins on the flight board first and get off the plane first once it lands at its destination. That way they aren’t forced to sit there forever waiting for those using overhead bins to search for their bags.
It would make it so much easier, faster, efficient and pleasant for everyone.
I have never seen anyone stopped for being in the wrong group. It’s frustrating
How bout minding your own business?
One time I was zone 3 out of 4, and by the time they called zone 3, it was just me and one other guy left. The entire plane boarded during zones 1 and 2.
They need to crack down on it.
@@nixonhoover2How about just standing in the section you are assigned to and the number in line, too! Geeze! You must be a wonderful person - NOT!
@@AJourneyOfYourSoulYou couldn’t be flying Southwest as they inky have 3 zones - A, B, and C!
@@sandybruce9092 it wasn’t southwest. I think it was frontier.
Southwest has lines, which works out great.
What's the point of boarding first, or earlier, if you are going to wait for everyone else to be boarded anyhow before departure?
Cebu Pacific in the Philippines uses the front and rear doors for onboarding/off boarding so it’s takes half the time.
Wondering more about how the mess that some people leaves on their seats might infulence the time required to clean the aircraft ?! Thumbs up to the cleaning crew 👍
I prefer others to wait for me while I board last rather I wait on others to finishing boarding.
Just hope that they don't run out of seats!
@@rongendron8705 na, once you have a ticket, is guarantee you will have a seat.
Apparently you don’t bring any carryon bags.
The Low Fare Seats gets to the Tail and Late Booking gets to the Wing Section of the Plane and the rest are pushed forward along the windows in a row.
I have been on many flights where passengers boarded/deplaned through the front and rear doors. These flights were for planes that weren't docked but were free-standing. This strategy works well as long as the weather isn't raining, snowing, etc.
You should see what Azul Airlines have done: they project about 10 positions on the ground, people on that position follow the projection that moves till it reaches the ticket validation. And a screen on top show which will be the next positions so you can prepare. The best and stressless technology I’ve ever seem for boarding.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. It seems to me that the best way is to board by order of seating when first are those who are at the end. That way no one blocks the the aisle or looking for the seat. As for the "privilege", every one leave at the time and it's much more comfortable and specious at the terminal so the best thing is to board last and disembark first.
2. The best option is to use two doors on both ends. It's more expensive to build but saves lot of money in efficiency but even without this cor boarding, you can at least disembark from two doors, with stairs and buses. In Europe it a lot when the plane when the place continues to a different area than it arrived from, meaning arriving fro out side the Schengen area, so arriving passengers must pass immigration and the destination of the boarding passengers is inside the Schengen area (and vice vers). In this case the plane arrives to the gate but is not connected to the bridge, passengers disembark with stairs and are taken by buses directly to where they need to be. I actually prefer this when I land and the disembarking process is fast.
3. When waiting to board, instead of sitting down waiting for the OK to board, the staff should pass around, check boarding passes, clarify which group each one is and even give them a "number" so most will know when they need to board. When calling do it in a clear manner, most of the time the call if too fast and unclear, no wonder people prefer to stand in line with no reason.
Ignorant comment
In Peru oftentimes both front and back doors are often used to disembark. I've never seen this in the U.S.
In Mexico too
Thank you to the people who follow boarding and luggage requirements. The buns have enough space but airlines don't enforce the rules.
I like the UK low cost airlines. You get told on your ticket to use the front door or back door as they prefer to not use the jetty. With the crew telling everyone to hurry up I have seen a full flight be loaded and on the runway within 15mins.
This is a really interesting conversation to have. I feel like the way the guy presented his strategy for faster boarding would not work because it seems too complex and people probably would get confused very easily and how would they enforce that? I feel like the way Southwest is changing with the new technology on their standing position things that might help a lot. it also comes down to the gate agents and not enforcing the crowds because everyone wants to get on the plane so they heard around the door. Maybe if they enforce it more where they told everyone must remain seated if they’re not being called to board. Last flight I took everyone was crowded around the boarding positions that weren’t even supposed to be standing in line yet and they were in C group, but they were only boarding A group. I feel like Southwest is on the right track to faster boarding and they have been for a while but maybe they’ll be able to improve that and influence of the airlines to kind of change their ways. An American flight I took a couple months ago took over an hour just to board. I can see some backlash on the process of Southwest boarding because it is confusing in this unique, but that can easily be fixed by communication maybe when you’re booking on the website, it will show you like a screen step-by-step what you’ll do when you get to the airport and what you do 24 hours ahead of time. But if they just increased that communication, I believe everyone would like the way people board on southwest.
But this strategy is complicated from the AIRLINE POV but very simple from the PASSENGER POV. They just go to the line marked on their boarding pass, exactly as they do at Southwest today. The computer program is just a few more lines of code to decide who gets which mark on that boarding pass.
@@kenoliver8913 your boarding position depends on how fast you can check in at that 24 hour mark
Doesn’t really matter if someone does find what seems like a faster way to board - so many people just want to make sure they are ahead of everyone else because they are so,special!!,🤮
6:20 There was a medical emergency on my last flight with the EMTs meeting us at the gate and the whole works. But of course as soon as the plane was at the gate, the passengers were in the aisles even though the FA's came on the speaker's telling everyone to stay seated until the medical has been evacuated...
I fly around 12-18 times per year and although I don't love boarding I've never really been that bothered by it. Part of the process. It's only 1 door, it's part of the process
I've flown hundreds of times in my life, and I'm an engineer, so I can see pretty clearly what the reasons are. Biggest issue is baggage. Nobody, including me, wants to pay an additional $75 to check a bag, so we use the largest size carry on possible. When 90% of the passengers are struggling to get a heavy bag into the locker it greatly slows it down. Additionally, there is often not a space directly above your seat, so you have to walk backwards or forwards to stow it and retrieve it. That slows it down even more. Another problem is that they just pack too many people into the plane. The denser it is, the more difficult to move and the slower it gets. And the other big reason is, stupidity. Too many people now are just too dumb to efficiently board and de-board a plane. They wander down the aisle taking forever to find their seats. Then they get in the wrong seat, then have to move and move their baggage. They are too inconsiderate to consider other people are boarding so once they reach their seat they will linger in the aisle for 2 minutes getting themselves arranged. And finally, many people are too fat to efficiently move down the aisles and get seated. It takes additional time.
Mostly I fly in Asia, but I have noticed the American airlines are by far the worst and most frustrating. There is a noticeable difference in how quickly and efficiently different cultures board. Whenever possible I book better airlines with free checked baggage. It is a dramatic difference in comfort and frustration levels.
What F-ING AIRLINE charges THAT MUCH to check a bag?!?
@@johnp139 Most of the budget airlines will do that to you. No kidding.
Don't need to be an engineer to figure this out
Agree with the back to front boarding which is how it was when I flew as a child in the 70s. And enforce the bag goes in the bin above your seat or it gets checked and charged
In military flights, they loaded in seat sequence, from the rear forward. A lot less congestion.
SWA boarding is still faster than all the other airlines ... I flown with them for the last 10 years and when I have to fly Delta & AA the boarding process seems to take forever in comparison..
Unassigned seating scares me. Do people ever fight over seats? I miagine the aisles go first. Do people ever get asked to move over and argue about it? I'm an aisle person. I like that my aisle seat is protected is Delta
It is the opposite. People are happier boarding on SWA. After flying a few different airlines, I will pay more to fly SWA and avoid being treated like a peasant at the other airlines. I used to like Delta but they are so elitist and rude now. It’s just easier go where the airline acts like they want you as a customer.
SouthWest is great if you are flying alone. It could be a nightmare if you are traveling with more than 1 other person.
i never used a US carrier in my life...
only Europeans or Singapore airlines!
i would never put a foot into a Delta airplane!
@@Arltratlo I hear you. US Airlines are not great. Delta's the best we've got and its ranked like 40th in the world but higher than any other US Airlines
There’s more to the story on how she got A16. I set my alarm for southwest everytime and check in the first second I can and still rarely get into the A group. Usually well into the B’s. Southwest knew what was up and made sure she got that position.
Still no complaints from me. Just wanted to throw that out there.
Right? I was thinking the same. The only time I ever get A20 or better without paying extra was if the flight was not full. If it's a full flight, that means a lot of people are setting up their alarms and you're competing to check in with them. But really, A16 is next to impossible on a full flight because people who have multiple legs on their itinerary are going to get checked in to that flight long before you.
I set my alarm a few minutes early so I’m on the site the second it clicks over… still end up in B 😂 I may have had a low B # on the connecting flight can’t recall ever scoring an A… my first SW flight I didn’t know about the system and was in the C group/pretty much last with my mom. We couldn’t sit together but it was a short flight lol
Southwest flights from Charlotte, NC to Denver are always full! That’s why we pay early bird as the 24-hour check in mostly comes in the middle of the night - plus early bird is a 36-hour check in!
yeah, getting A16 is sus...same experience where mashing the "submit" button at exactly 24 hours prior gets me at best in the high A-group, but usually, in the low B-group
Those of us in A 16-30 are also distressed, as we watch 15-20 wheelchair assists board (only 10% actually needing one). It is an on board miracle that most are healed during the flight and walk off unassisted.
I’ve been saying this for as long as i’ve been flying. It would be more efficient to let the rows at the end board first so we fill the aircraft from back to the front.
Just board using the rear door!!!
Airlines should use front and back door to board... I have seen it in the past and it works great :D
I think they should allow one small carry on, i.e. small backpack, laptop bag, etc., then any carry on after that is charged. The first check bag could be free. My biggest complaint is people that have to spend a whole 5 minutes trying to shove oversize carry on bags in the overhead bin.
Won’t work for us ladies - I carry in a purse and a tote bag for my iPads and medications. If I had to use only one carry in it Wouk’s make my life a bit more difficult! And then there are some of us who are probably a bit older than you and can’t deal with a back pack - wish I could as it would make my life so much easier!
I love this. Charge for carryon and free checked bag.
That's how it was in the old days...pre 9/11 more or less... flying was simpler then...
@@erictrumpler9652 it was but I traveled for business and I used to carry on a pretty big bag. The under seat was way larger too. With the shrinking seat comes a need for more storage with less available. I used to fit a small roller under the seat in front of me. No way now
It's all about the carry-on! People want to board first to make sure they get a space for their carry-on luggage. That's the problem they need to deal with to speed up boarding! Therefore, boarding the lower class first to get the back filled up will never go down with passengers who have status and first class tickets.
I always take my book out and stay put in my waiting chair until the last passengers are boarding. Others are standing voluntarily 20 mins in line before the gate opens to board earlier, but my method is WAY more relaxed. (In Europe at least.) Being last saves a lot of discomfort, doesn’t lose you any time at all.
Also love when I do have priority boarding to pass all those people waiting standing in line for the gate to open. Same with getting off of the plane. People standing uncomfortably in the aisle waiting until the door opens… I read my book.
I always wait until the end to get on the plane.
1:45 southwest has Family Boarding (people with small children ) after the A group, but before the B group. Says so on their website, and this is what happened last time I flew.
As a frequent flier of flights between North America and Asia, I have to say I really don't care how early I board the flight. Sitting out of the plane is by far more comfortable than squeezed in, so I do have a problem with boarding earlier. As a matter of fact, I try to board the plane the last if possible. You have 12-16 hours in the seat after all, why hurry? I would like to be released earlier at the destination though
Exactly my point, I usually board last when I fly international, the seat is already assigned. Hopefully there's a space in the overhead area, it's never a big issue
Because of the limited amount of overhead bin space!!!!
Up until the early 1970s, the space above the seats was a shelf that ran the length of the cabin. Pillows and blankets were stored there, and passengers coukd stowe hats and coats.
When the overhead bins came along in the 1970s, it was intended for briefcases, large purses, cosmetic cases, hatboxes, and school bags.
You didn't see people carrying on garment bags and suitcases, until hub-and-spoke systems meant more passengers were regularly connecting, and losing checked bags.
The bag fees simply increased the number of carry-on bags.
The plane ain’t leaving until I get on and buckle up so I like to wait to be the very last one. While people wait in the jetway I’m typically just really getting into another chapter of a book or enjoying my best sips of coffee. I always crop a big fart in first class on my way to my row 31F seat. Paying extra money to hurry up and wait is insane. When airlines let me board from the back of the plane and show some intent to speed up the process then will I do anything differently.
The airlines are directly responsible for the mess that is modern air travel today. They have knowingly sacrificed every aspect of flying commercially in order to monetize each aspect. Meanwhile, the things that used to make flying commercially pleasant are only available to who fly business and first class.
I could agree with this. Because if you think about it everything that would make things for passengers convenient you actually have to pay for as an extra.... so it's inconvenient on purpose
@@missaamane8580Agree 100pct. That is what is causing the increase in ticketed passengers choosing "economy plus" seating. Its a major revenue generator by making economy as uncomfortable as possible to drive customers into paying more for something basic.
And air travel regulation by the government has neglected us by not regulating seat size and spacing between rows, to accommodate skeleton sizes in the U.S. Seating needs to be comfortable for a 6 foot tall male with an average skeleton.
I have noticed nowadays that newer aircraft (including narrow bodies) are beginning to have more overhead space. That should calm people down when it comes to worrying about getting their carry-on in the overhead bins and thereby wanting to pole position to get on board.
They'll just have more carry on luggage, which will slow things down even more. One of the things I've noticed in my travels is how lax US airlines are compared with others in permitting people to hold everybody else up with by carrying on overweight bags.
@@kenoliver8913 It's about not wanting to get into confrontations when you aren't paid to do that. Some airlines like Frontier give bonuses to the gate agents to enforce so it incentivizes them to be much more strict.
Lukla Airport in Nepal averages around 6 minutes between a plane landing and taking off again. Although those are around 20 seaters, don't get refueled or inspected, the engines aren't even turned off - so not entirely comparable. But its insane what can be achieved when an airport has no alternative but to turn planes around very quickly.
I fly Southwest a lot and am on the A-list. For me, the most time consuming item is boarding the passengers needing help at the beginning. On some flights there are only a few, but many flights have over 10 waiting and the staff is minimal thus needing several trips. It takes at times 10 to 15 minutes. I don't begrudge them though and feel that Southwest is doing its' duty and operating on another level of service than other airlines. I wish boarding was easier and faster, but will still fly them anyway. We usually take off late, but "somehow" the pilots usually make up the time.
The schedule takes things like that into account.
And watch how many need help when disembarking with Southwest. Out of ten , maybe just one or two. The rest seemingly have recovered from whatever disability they claimed to have as they don't want to sit around in the airplane to be serviced last and so quickly dart out of there faster than Usain Bolt.
The methods are interesting, and may help, but there is one problem that will never change. People. I've flown a LOT for work for the past 20 years, so I've seen a lot of examples. The biggest issue IMO is that people do not care about anything during boarding or deplaning but themselves. They don't move with purpose. They forget than many of the 200 people on that plane with them have tight connections, etc. They'll stand up, but on their jacket, put their laptop in their bag, but their book away, get their carry on down, get themselves together, then start walking (slowly) toward the door. I just wish that people would be aware of others. Move QUICKLY off the plane. Walk on the side of the jet bridge, so that if someone is in a hurry, they can get by you and get to their connection. Air travel is NOT all about you. It's about you and just over 200 other people.
Totally agreed. Many people are self absorbed and don’t follow common sense and courtesy towards their fellow passengers