Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Kendall Roy]

OWS published benefit is and hasn't changed - boarding at your convenience. Take it up with OW - our work here is done

Ketchup / Sauce...... it's all the same thing

 

[simongr]

Nah its not - all the programs have quirks and this is one of them.

 

[NM]

I only ask because; if your in the lounge, call goes out that boarding has commenced, turn up at gate and board via priority line (which is enforced properly, like VA), isn't that board at convenience?

Exactly my point. If it is convenient to use the "Premium Boarding" lane then OneWorld Sapphire members should be able to do so.

So why the different interpretation for International and Domestic departures? Does this imply that Qantas has a higher proportion of high status passengers on domestic flights than on international flights?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

So why the different interpretation for International and Domestic departures? Does this imply that Qantas has a higher proportion of high status passengers on domestic flights than on international flights?

Maybe ask Red Roo?

 

[NM]

Maybe ask Red Roo?

I did. See earlier post asking this question.

 

[TonyHancock]

The 380 is interesting. 450 passengers of which 118 are entitled to priority boarding by class of travel. Then WP's and SG's in Y. I suspect it will be close to a third of passengers entitled to priority boarding.

There is at least one 747 config where 120 of a total 307 passengers are entitled to priority boarding by class of travel. There must be times when just about half of passengers are entitled to priority boarding. :shock:

 

[JohnPhelan]

The 380 is interesting. 450 passengers of which 118 are entitled to priority boarding by class of travel. Then WP's and SG's in Y. I suspect it will be close to a third of passengers entitled to priority boarding.

There is at least one 747 config where 120 of a total 307 passengers are entitled to priority boarding by class of travel. There must be times when just about half of passengers are entitled to priority boarding. :shock:

Very true. And on certain domestic services, probably more than half would be entitled to priority boarding if QF Golds were included as well.

At least with the A380, the total numbers of priority pax are split over the two decks, so use different aerobridges (though still have to go through the same scanner at the gate). I love the signage that says "First and Economy"

 

[JohnPhelan]

With any respect, I believe very little that spins out of Qantas these days.

Qantas is constantly testing the level to which it can "cut costs" before customer revolt (the most recent experiences expressed on this website being - Qantas Club members' lack of access to BA’s revamped business class lounges when flying BA), and then if revolt happens, at a scale larger than that mathematically modeled, management back peddles.

It's been made crystal clear that the BA Lounge issue is not related in any way to QF not wanting to pay for it.

Your dislike of Qantas is very clear; that's fine. But continuing to peddle groundless rumours based on a premise that's already been totally discredited do you and your argument no good and puts you in the 'spin' category as well.

You don't like them, don't trust them, so don't fly with them. Simple. I think both parties would consider that a good result.

 

[nonpop]

The times I have been late (i.e. not at the gate when boarding commences) I walk up to the empty PA Queue and hold my BP out with a smile. In my best Humble DYKWIA manner I present the BP is such a way to make sure the First / Priority Access text is very visible to the agent. The agents normally finish scanning the PAX they they are processing then reach across and take yours. This gets scanned and you are good to go and join the queue in the airbridge .... as First Class normally get to board first. ... boarding often commence 35-40 minutes before scheduled departure time.

+ 1 to each.
I find exactly the same thing.
I always just walk up to the empty PA queue, smile, wait for the current pax being scanned then usualy semi-thrust my BP forward. The agent typcially looks at it and then takes it with a smile, scans and waves we on.

As I'm a OWE & travelling first, I guess I've got my bases covered. But first class does always seem to be in the initial pre-boarding. And it seems the general US flying public understand the process well and don't try to jump into the PA line.

And for some reason, I've come to not mind the rustic super-80's ... provided I'm seated on the starboard side. And lets not forget AA's 757 fleet either.

 

[777]

Lots of debate/ discussion (ok and coughing and moaning) in this thread but it's worth making the point that pressure from here (and the actions of the other mob in introducing a PB system that works) are almost certainly key reasons why Qantas has finally bitten the bullet on this. Next time a thread gets on to 6billion pages it's worth remembering that sometimes it takes that long

 

[Oneworldplus2]

The 380 is interesting. 450 passengers of which 118 are entitled to priority boarding by class of travel. Then WP's and SG's in Y. I suspect it will be close to a third of passengers entitled to priority boarding.

There is at least one 747 config where 120 of a total 307 passengers are entitled to priority boarding by class of travel. There must be times when just about half of passengers are entitled to priority boarding. :shock:

Tony, l just found a post on FT that mentions this. Good timing.

So I did the return flight today. I've always disliked the fact that the lounges are outside security at SIN, but it hasn't been a big problem before because every time I've flown from SIN (on non-SQ airlines), there was a priority lane at security for J class. So today, after spending some leisurely time at the SQ lounge, I head to the gate thinking I'll breeze through security. Boy was I ever wrong.

I got to the security checkpoint for the A380 gates and found a massive line snaking far back from the checkpoint. I looked all over for a priority line... turns out there wasn't one.

The gate was also a madhouse. Two full A380s leaving at the same time. When boarding commenced for my flight, a huge mob converged on the gate agents. Pax ignored the signs indicating the different lanes for premium pax vs other pax. Everyone mixed together in the mob (biz pax, economy pax, elites and non-elites) and lots of people were cutting to the front. No attempt was made by gate agents to impose order and get people to separate into the correct lines. As far as I could tell the agents just passively let people board and didn't try to enforce the lines.

People say SQ is the best, but how can they be the best when they can't even get a simple thing right like organizing the lines so that international premium pax don't have to endure a madhouse at security and boarding?

 

[Danger]

I think the argument that a high percentage of a particular flight or aircraft are entitled to priority boarding is not as prominent as it needs to be for two reasons.

First, those entitled to priority boarding are, presumedly, just as entitled to use the non-priority lane (although I'm reminded of a video posted on here a few weeks ago, I think from the TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm, where a First passenger is chastised for moving aft to use the Economy toilets). Simply, if the priority lane is too long, use the non-priority lane.

Second, and I think more importantly, is an expanded argument of one. You don't have to avail yourself of the benefit. You're free to stay in the lounge a little longer or linger at the bookshop and wander up towards the end of boarding. Some people are happy to be last on, probably moreso if they've only got their briefcase and a magazine to stow.

The important point is that the published benefit should be available, as stated; whether you use it or not is up to you but because it's published you expect that you will at least have that option. I guess it's a bit like the amenity kit (and pyjamas). Some take it, some don't. But you expect that you will at least be given the option.

 

[amaroo]

I think the argument that a high percentage of a particular flight or aircraft are entitled to priority boarding is not as prominent as it needs to be for two reasons.

First, those entitled to priority boarding are, presumedly, just as entitled to use the non-priority lane (although I'm reminded of a video posted on here a few weeks ago, I think from the TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm, where a First passenger is chastised for moving aft to use the Economy toilets). Simply, if the priority lane is too long, use the non-priority lane.

Second, and I think more importantly, is an expanded argument of one. You don't have to avail yourself of the benefit. You're free to stay in the lounge a little longer or linger at the bookshop and wander up towards the end of boarding. Some people are happy to be last on, probably moreso if they've only got their briefcase and a magazine to stow.

The important point is that the published benefit should be available, as stated; whether you use it or not is up to you but because it's published you expect that you will at least have that option. I guess it's a bit like the amenity kit (and pyjamas). Some take it, some don't. But you expect that you will at least be given the option.

When I'm not acting as the family Sherpa - I love being the last or one of the last on board....extra drink at the lounge, no queues....it's very calming. Of course when in Sherpa mode - being one of the first on board is a must!

 

[Stephen65]

It was working effectively this morning for QF772 from PER to MEL (an international fitout A330). At the first call in the QP we headed down because I wanted to see priority boarding in action. There was a truly enormous line in the left channel for economy and a very short line (two people ahead of us to be precise) in the right J/WP line.

 

[straitman]

It was working effectively this morning for QF772 from PER to MEL (an international fitout A330). At the first call in the QP we headed down because I wanted to see priority boarding in action. There was a truly enormous line in the left channel for economy and a very short line (two people ahead of us to be precise) in the right J/WP line.

Excellent news.

 

[Danger]

And here it is:

 

[tuapekastar]

And here it is:

View attachment 4762

View attachment 4763

Well it couldn't be more obvious than that! Thanks for posting the photos and if this is the typical setup, then well done QF!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Good one QF. Looks good. Thanks for the photo Danger

 

[awilcockson]

This was the zoo in SYD this morning. Bad enough as a plat, but I was actually flying J whichever it hurt even more.

 

[nlagalle]

This was the zoo in SYD this morning. Bad enough as a plat, but I was actually flying J whichever it hurt even more.

My flight last night home was a zoo - seems everyone ignored the calls.. be interesting to see how it goes when there are lanes in place.