Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Jousams]

Took my first QF J flight in a few years last week. As a regular VA flyer, I'm always eager to see what I am missing out on over the other side of the fence. Generally speaking QF has their stuff more together with most things when compared to VA. But the PB situation on the flight really annoyed me, probably because I am so used to it working. All the gate staff need to do is enforce the rules and not let people board in the priority line.

Back to Sydney on VA today and I was very grateful for not having to line up behind the whole plane to get on because I had been in the lounge...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'm guessing that with the short turnarounds that QF is after, starting boarding earlier isn't possible.

However, VA make it work on a shorter turnaround so the process is possible. I'm now firmly of the opinion that QF don't care about PB, so unless people demand it, it ain't happening.

What do you think would be the average number of pax on a VA flight who would be eligible for PB on a 737 ie WP, SG & those in J who don't fall into the previous two categories?

 

[hossein_au]

What do you think would be the average number of pax on a VA flight who would be eligible for PB on a 737 ie WP, SG & those in J who don't fall into the previous two categories?

I am not sure of the average numbers, but I do know that there is an unusually higher proportion of status holders flying out of CBR (for both VA and QF). I have seen VA get PB right every time there even with the higher ratio of status holders, versus Qantas that fails PB almost everywhere, regardless of the percentage of status holders in a particular flight.

 

[Jousams]

What do you think would be the average number of pax on a VA flight who would be eligible for PB on a 737 ie WP, SG & those in J who don't fall into the previous two categories?

I do quite a few Monday mornings out of OOL. This is just a guess but there's generally around 50 (sometimes more sometimes less) boarding the flight.

What are the proportions at QF like?

 

[TomVexille]

What do you think would be the average number of pax on a VA flight who would be eligible for PB on a 737 ie WP, SG & those in J who don't fall into the previous two categories?

I have no idea. I doubt it's above 25%, even with lower targets and family pooling.

 

[opusman]

Fail on QF1505 this arvo. Not sure which queue was longer!

 

[kermatu]

I've had 4 VA experiences in the last fortnight. I have no status (yet) and was flying Y. Priority boarding worked perfectly every time. SYD, CBR and MEL.

Had an odd QF experience on Tuesday. Flying J out of SYD, on an A330. Departed gate 10 which is the satellite zone, so two doors for J and Y. Boarding was late so people were queued for a while. Almost equal length lines. At one point a staff member walked down the priority lane and select passengers went through the forward door. I was sitting down but got up anyway as I assumed they were inviting actual J pax to come onboard. And correct, I was allowed through. Was this priority selection from the priority lane?? Or just a case of the J cabin was ready, so may as well allow them on. I thought it was interesting that no announcement was made - just a staff member walking down the line.

As an aside, if I was travelling Y and saw two doors for boarding I think I'd always line up for that door, irrespective of status.

 

[katiebell]

QF know how to do priority boarding: they do it all the time on international flights (other than DXB where EK rules apply and WP board last...). I should not be rocket science to train the dom crew to use the same boarding procedures: i.e. call for J & WP to board; then call SG, PS and everyone else in that order.

 

[Quickstatus]

I still don't see the point of priority boarding. The only time it works occurs when everyone is at the gate when boarding commences and premium/priority pax board first.

It is of no use when premium/priority pax arrive at gate when boarding has already started. Even if the Priority lane is policed, there is another queue on the bridge to the aircraft door into the aircraft aisle. What is the point of getting to the bridge queue a bit earlier?.

There are only two benefits to priority boarding.
1) The" look at me I'm important benefit"
2) Overhead luggage space.

Number 2 is more important so I would suggest turn up at the gate earlier so priority can be afforded with greatest chance of securing 2), but the downside is you will have to leave the lounge earlier.

If number 1) is more important then by all means swan up to the gate at your leisure but even if if you could get into priority lane you will get stuck on the bridge and your time as a priority boarder is cut short.

QFi works especially on the A380 services but it's not really priority boarding just different lanes because there are 3 bridges to separate entrances according the travel class. (Though WP can line up at F lane).

 

[marki]

I still don't see the point of priority boarding. The only time it works occurs when everyone is at the gate when boarding commences and premium/priority pax board first.

It is of no use when premium/priority pax arrive at gate when boarding has already started. Even if the Priority lane is policed, there is another queue on the bridge to the aircraft door into the aircraft aisle. What is the point of getting to the bridge queue a bit earlier?.

There are only two benefits to priority boarding.
1) The" look at me I'm important benefit"
2) Overhead luggage space.

Number 2 is more important so I would suggest turn up at the gate earlier so priority can be afforded with greatest chance of securing 2), but the downside is you will have to leave the lounge earlier.

If number 1) is more important then by all means swan up to the gate at your leisure but even if if you could get into priority lane you will get stuck on the bridge and your time as a priority boarder is cut short.

QFi works especially on the A380 services but it's not really priority boarding just different lanes because there are 3 bridges to separate entrances according the travel class. (Though WP can line up at F lane).

Quickstatus I was shocked a little by your statement about Priority Boarding. From my perspective being very much a business traveller with a specific agenda ( work)! I am appreciative of not lining up with the plebs. Means I am quick onboard minimal fuss have the ability sit down and get to work after putting away my hand luggage. Often the business section will be taken up lazy economy passengers dumping their own luggage up front!
After travelling long distances I need minimal fuss, So welcome the fast lane priority queue, certainly don't do it for number 1) reason stated above.

 

[tm.smile]

I still don't see the point of priority boarding. The only time it works occurs when everyone is at the gate when boarding commences and premium/priority pax board first.

As someone that usually sits in a window seat in Y, I appreciate being able to skip most passengers when I arrive to the gate after boarding has begun and settle in as quickly as I can.

 

[hossein_au]

You make that sound so simple...

It is simple. It is actually dead simple; just look at how Virgin does it. Virgin might have a lot of flaws, but priority boarding is DEFINITELY not one of them.

 

[katiebell]

QFi works especially on the A380 services but it's not really priority boarding just different lanes because there are 3 bridges to separate entrances according the travel class. (Though WP can line up at F lane).

It also works on other QFi aircraft, some of which only have 1 door and/or 1 aerobridge. And other airlines make it work with only 1 bridge.

 

[medhead]

I've turned up at the gate plenty of times after boarding has commenced with a massive standard line (like 100 pax), zero premium boarding and about 3 pax on the bridge. premium boarding worked well. Even if there was a queue in the bridge I'm still 100 pax in front, and I have overhead space within 4 rows of my seat.

QF730 on 18th Jan was the worst and most bizarre Qantas experience yet. One FA scanning and the entire aircraft lined up for the premium lane. So clearly no announcement and everyone just decided to line up behind the premium pax. Walked towards the front of the line, Qantas club cards in the hands of people within 10 of the front of the queue. Was just about to start question status to know where to push in, when the gate agent started scanning on the standard lane. So I walked straight to the front of that empty lane, had to call the family over. Then suddenly the Qantas club card holders and rest of the line were behind me while we waited for SWMBO to stop telling me about the end of the line. (She was not obeyed on Monday morning)

I have no idea why one person processing 2 lanes alternatively is such a difficult concept for people.

If enquiring minds would like to know, NO my ego was not bruised by having to use the standard line, not one little bit.

 

[TomVexille]

It is simple. It is actually dead simple; just look at how Virgin does it. Virgin might have a lot of flaws, but priority boarding is DEFINITELY not one of them.

Of course it's simple, VA, AA and UA can all manage, yet a "better" airline like QF can't seem to figure it out.

I've turned up at the gate plenty of times after boarding has commenced with a massive standard line (like 100 pax), zero premium boarding and about 3 pax on the bridge. premium boarding worked well. Even if there was a queue in the bridge I'm still 100 pax in front, and I have overhead space within 4 rows of my seat.

For people that don't understand. That is exactly the reason why it's worth having.

 

[marki]

"Dear frequent flyer # 6389536845789544256,

Our cabin crew could not be bothered with correctly enforcing priority boarding, nor are our social media or management teams interested in addressing this either.

If you'd like to experience true priority boarding, we would suggest flying with our competitor, who have a dedicated ground crew who don't have to deal with the attitude of the passenger once onboard.

We know you have a choice of airline, so please make your first destination virginaustralia.com.

Enjoy your journey. Oh, we mean, now you're flying.

Warm regards,

Customer Dissatisfaction Department
Disinterested Airways"

This is unfortunate it happens to often. Where is red Roo to make changes?

My AA experience is different. Usually PA asking priority members to come forward. Others are told to wait. Then next call comes after making it clear the priority members are allowed to board anytime.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

This is unfortunate it happens to often. Where is red Roo to make changes?

My AA experience is different. Usually PA asking priority members to come forward. Others are told to wait. Then next call comes after making it clear the priority members are allowed to board anytime.

I've said it before, honey badger don't care.

I'm just waiting for the member pack which states:

Platinum frequent flyers can enjoy priority boarding on all Qantas services*

* when we can be bothered, which isn't often

 

[RickyT84]

A fail on PB last Friday evening for QF 783 from SYD to ADL. No clear PB signs were visible at gate 12 which resulted in all pax formed one single queue.

There were two agents doing boarding but it was not clear to all pax and it got a bit disorganised when we get close to the readers with people moving between queues.

 

[medhead]

Interesting variation tonight. Gate 4 Sydney T3. (Qf783 coincidently) Gate agent does a big speel about the premium lane to be used for status and business pax. Says you can start boarding now. The lane starts. Gate agent then says economy will board by the other lane in a little while. But the FA on the economy side stops playing with the computer about 10 seconds later and starts boarding the non-premium lane.

Nice try. Marks for effort and participation.

If Anat0l reads this "Gate" was autocorrected to "Mate"

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Quite surprised to see priority boarding being enforced on Sunday evening BNE-SYD on QF545, with what appeared to be a ground crew member at the entrance to the priority lane checking eligibility. This may well be the first flight where it was not a "scrum" at the gate. Well done QF! Now to the consistency part of the equation....