Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Danger]

Not really that hard, is it?

Exactly!

Every other airline in the world that's offers "priority boarding" understands what it is and can offer it with ease.

No reason QF can't.

Couldn't agree more.

I think there are just too many people who would have accee to the priority boarding lane (I am just thinking about the last time I went from the QC to a flight to MEL in peak hour, we could have walked in formation).Then it would probably faster to board through the non priority lane ;-)

I take your point but I don't think it would be that many. You've got Qantas Platinum and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire (presumably with programs other than QF for Sapphire). That's it. Technically speaking (and I stand to be corrected) but I don't think Business Class gets priority boarding, other than a lane that says "Business" when two bridges are used.

 

[connieguy]

I think there are just too many people who would have accee to the priority boarding lane (I am just thinking about the last time I went from the QC to a flight to MEL in peak hour, we could have walked in formation).Then it would probably faster to board through the non priority lane ;-)

To me it is about exiting the lounge when the boarding call is made and not needing to queue in the back of a line with +100 pax waiting to board. Also it is about QF delivering what they claim they are delivering to their SG and WP FFs. QF know they are not doing this and until we demand they deliver this service, they will just continue to take us for granted and continue to roll out more and more "Enhancements".

To DJ, well done guys for delivering what the big Red Roo will not. QF's lack of action is just plain disgusting.

 

[MatF]

A separate lane (like in the Virgin Aust photo) is the only way it'll ever work IMHO. I don't understand how it was ever seen to be possible without it.

 

[chrispy3276]

Found it interesting today that on my Perth to Sydney flight that although there was no 'priority boarding', one of the two doors was specifically for business/platinum frequent flyers. Normally I've just seen it as 'board at your leisure'

 

[JohnPhelan]

Technically speaking (and I stand to be corrected) but I don't think Business Class gets priority boarding, other than a lane that says "Business" when two bridges are used.

Yes, Business gets priority boarding. On those occasions when they do the call, it's "families with young children, Business class passengers, and Qantas Platinum and Gold frequent flyers and their oneworld equivalents".

But that's 'board before anyone else' priority, rather than 'board whenever you like through a separate lane' priority (which is really what it should be).

 

[JohnPhelan]

Found it interesting today that on my Perth to Sydney flight that although there was no 'priority boarding', one of the two doors was specifically for business/platinum frequent flyers. Normally I've just seen it as 'board at your leisure'

Excellent. This is what it's supposed to be. When there's only one entry door, then there should be two lines clearly marked (as per the Virgin example).

 

[pshepvic]

Coming back from Sydney on Monday night I got to the gate after boarding had started.

They were taking BP's from the non-priority queue and there were 4 people standing in the priority queue not going anywhere (not judging, but I don't think they were frequent flyers...)

I stood behind them with a puzzled look on my face and the girl scanning BPs saw me and realised what was happening.

She announced that the "purple queue is for business class passengers and gold Velocity members only". It turned out the 4 standing there weren't even getting on that flight! What the ...?

Anyway, she called me forward, took my BP and apologised profusely!

(On that note, I think there are a lot of customers that have never seen a priority boarding queue before!)

 

[samiam]

No priority boarding MEL-PER tonight- although nothing new... What's more, was a cr**py 737-800.

However, they were checking hand luggage and a couple of people had to check in oversize items - I overheard the flight attendant say that they are enforcing it from this week- whatever that means.

 

[medhead]

I should mention that they did a pretty good job of board first priority last Thursday night for my SYD-ADL flight. A bit surprising but it did happen 2 days after speaking to someone about the lack of priority boarding.

 

[OverrideServlet]

However, they were checking hand luggage and a couple of people had to check in oversize items - I overheard the flight attendant say that they are enforcing it from this week- whatever that means.

Thumbs up if they are actually doing this across the whole network.

 

[blu]

As PS, we were pleasantly surprised when flying the SYD-BNE sector on the SYD-BNE-MNL flight out of T1.
Were escorted from the back of a very long Y queue, around to the empty J counter. I thank the PS bag tags for that one.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

There was priority boarding for a Star Alliance flight in BUD @T2 the other day. The sign was very simple and effective (not my flight, but the gate next to me) I was too embarrassed to take a photo, it was rush-hour.... I will make an effort when l return to Sydney via BUD+LHR+BKK

 

[OverrideServlet]

As PS, we were pleasantly surprised when flying the SYD-BNE sector on the SYD-BNE-MNL flight out of T1.
Were escorted from the back of a very long Y queue, around to the empty J counter. I thank the PS bag tags for that one.

This is interesting. Priority boarding is not actually a benefit of the PS level, right?

Did you have the new or old style bag tags on your carry-on? Perhaps they were mistaken for WP tags?

 

[ozmille]

A bit off topic as it was international travel but the way they did it in BKK last night was they did the announcement in the lounge after all the Y pax were gone from the departure area. Very nice if you are up the front but I think that finding overhead locker space at the back might have been an issue.

 

[samiam]

In Perth this morning, they did "Rows 20 - 29" and then "everyone else". What the???

 

[serfty]

It's been posted before, but if at the Gate when boarding commences for a QF flight (unless it's for those with Kids and people needing assistance etc.) I board! (As a WP, I have never been stopped from doing so.)

 

[samiam]

It's been posted before, but if at the Gate when boarding commences for a QF flight (unless it's for those with Kids and people needing assistance etc.) I board! (As a WP, I have never been stopped from doing so.)

Good to know- thanks... Won't just hang at the gate like a limp bit of lettuce, waiting my turn, next time

 

[medhead]

Qantas have screwed me over boarding this week. I usually get to the gate early, 10 minutes before listed boarding time. Both flights this week boarding has been well advanced when I've got to the gate.

In ADL the lounge called boarding as I was walking out the door. In SyD tonight I left before any call, got to the gate to see a nice long queue and no call for my flight as I was walking to gate 9.

 

[serfty]

Qantas have screwed me over boarding this week. I usually get to the gate early, 10 minutes before listed boarding time. Both flights this week boarding has been well advanced when I've got to the gate.

In ADL the lounge called boarding as I was walking out the door. In SyD tonight I left before any call, got to the gate to see a nice long queue and no call for my flight as I was walking to gate 9.

I have long since ceased awaitng boarding calls in the Lounge. Perhaps it my American experices but thesedays I try to leave the lounge at least five minutes before boarding is due to commence.

 

[samh004]

While waiting for a flight to arrive the other day I heard those in J, WP or SG can board at their leisure, but didn't bother to look if there was a separate lane. Also something about OW elites but can't quite recall wording.