Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Blackadder]

FWIW priority for me while nice if I get it is not a deal breaker, mainly because I tend to be at the gate before boarding time and towards the front of any queue/scrum, but to each their own.

 

[medhead]

FWIW priority for me while nice if I get it is not a deal breaker, mainly because I tend to be at the gate before boarding time and towards the front of any queue/scrum, but to each their own.

I am general at the gate early ready to push my way to the front of any scrum. So lack of a special lane is not a deal breaker for me. But what about pre-boarding! So I don't have to battle a scrum.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Blackadder]

It would be nice, but it has come to be expected of QF domestic to be hit and miss so I guess I am not to fussed if I get it or not.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

MEL-SYD on QF ($600) is about the same price as flying HKG-Shanghai CX/KA (also $600 one way fully flex). The catering is much of a muchness (probably the edge to QF for meal services at least), but the rest of the experience CX/KA wins hands down... dedicated biz class check-in with priority baggage that actually works, better lounges, and, of course, priority boarding, without exception, even for single aisle aircraft. If CX/KA dispensed with priority boarding they would be at a significant disadvantage to their competitors (in fact I wouldn't fly them if I was at the end of 250 waiting to board). QF really needs to pick up the game on this.

Edited to add i just looked at prices on QF MEL-SYD for tomorrow (monday) and peak flights are running at $839. That's $1600 return! for that price you'd expect something pretty amazing. EK A380 HKG-BKK comes in around the same price or less in suites!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Mostly well done on a 738 bne-SYD last night.

Walked out of the Business lounge to Gate 18 on first announcement in lounge. Whilst walking down lengthy pa that biz, plat, emerald from the right, general from the left and boarding by rows - signs and colored carpet also correct.

Seemingly started boarding both groups at the same things time. Queue was about 50:10 when I arrived. Girl in front realized she was in wrong queue and moved, but the couple days in front where silver and row 3x, but we're not questioned

If the couple were in row 3, that would be J so they would be entitled to use the PB queue even if they were only PS.

 

[atreides]

SYD PER today, QF staff approached people as they entered the premium queue to make sure they were Business or platinum. Those who didn't meet the criteria were politely asked to move to the correct line.

I was very impressed with how it was handled today.

 

[TonyHancock]

SYD PER today, QF staff approached people as they entered the premium queue to make sure they were Business or platinum. Those who didn't meet the criteria were politely asked to move to the correct line.

I was very impressed with how it was handled today.

This sounds like a major step forward. I hope it is to be pursued by QF.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

SYD PER today, QF staff approached people as they entered the premium queue to make sure they were Business or platinum. Those who didn't meet the criteria were politely asked to move to the correct line.

I was very impressed with how it was handled today.

This is how it needs to be done - as they join the queue not when they give their boarding pass to the flight attendant.

 

[Heleigh]

If the couple were in row 3, that would be J so they would be entitled to use the PB queue even if they were only PS.

I thought the same thing 1st, then realised it was 30 something with the "x" after 3.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I thought the same thing 1st, then realised it was 30 something with the "x" after 3.

I thought that too although the poster said it was a 738 which on QF only goes back as far as row 29 so they must've meant 3ACDF.

 

[Heleigh]

I thought that too although the poster said it was a 738 which on QF only goes back as far as row 29 so they must've meant 3ACDF.

Thanks I'm still not up on how many rows on specific aircraft

 

[moa999]

I did mean down the back, so 20-something then...
They definitely weren't sitting in the biz cabin

 

[bjbrian]

Recently in the US I found that AA's Priority boarding worked a treat, but I guess there are three differences.
1 / People are used to it
2 / Americans love to line up neatly
3 / Its enforced (in a nice way)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Recently in the US I found that AA's Priority boarding worked a treat, but I guess there are three differences.
1 / People are used to it
2 / Americans love to line up neatly
3 / Its enforced (in a nice way)

I agree with 1 & 3 but I also saw plenty of evidence on how they also like to form a scrum across both boarding lanes not unlike here in Oz however I did learn to master the art of making my way through the scrum to utilise the Priority AAccess queue.

 

[eastwest101]

Recently in the US I found that AA's Priority boarding worked a treat, but I guess there are three differences.
1 / People are used to it
2 / Americans love to line up neatly
3 / Its enforced (in a nice way)

Good point well made, and others about the correct order to call a PB flight - could be simplified to the Three E's of succesful Priority Boarding:
1) Enforcement
2) Enforcement
3) Enforcement

 

[Kangol]

Leaving the MEL terminal tonight I was walking past a MEL-SYD flight that commenced boarding which appeared to be enforcing the PB concept well. Long line for normal pax and short PB line on the left. One announcement I heard was along the lines of "if you are a J passenger, WP or OWE please use the priority boarding line on the left".

 

[Pleb Status]

Flew from BNE to PER yesterday and experienced the usual poor management of the priority boarding lane (I have found that SG are the worst offenders!).

As I was sitting in an exit row, I ended up having the FA who was operating the priority lane at the gate sitting opposite me at take off. I asked him about what QF have instructed them to do when an ineligible person uses the priority lane.

He advised that QF have had said nothing to them about what to do and therefore implied that they just let anybody through. If this is true, no wonder priority boarding has turned into a bit of a joke (or always has been). If QF does not issue clear instructions to all FA about correct priority boarding operation, it will never get better.

The 'honour' system has proven not to work and proper enforcement of priority lane eligibility must be enacted.

 

[MatF]

A mess again this morning on QF510, from Gate 3 SYD T3.

As far as I could tell, people just lined up in whatever boarding lane was closest. There was no enforcement. There wasn't even any mention of the priority boarding lane in the boarding call - "QF510 to brisbane is now ready for boarding. To make things easier, please have your boarding pass ready for scanning at the gate". That was it.

It's so hit and miss from my experience. Agree re: enforcement required.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

PER-MEL - worked.
MEL-SYD - by the time l got to the gate (Gate 11), there was no que, lol. It's a long hike from the Lounge to that gate.

 

[marki]

I am not too worried about priority boarding. What really gets me is economy passengers walking thru business and even sitting next to you waiting for the toilets. They all look and stare. Cannot get any peace and quiet time!


What I have noticed though and maybe others have too==> is the inconsistency.

All East West flights are closed off, But flights North South are not like 737 flights 2 hours or more North of Perth.