Qantas doesn't care about priority boarding

[jpp42]

I agree that it doesn't work, but you can't compare US airlines. US airlines don't board a 737 in 14-20 minutes. This is what Qantas does.
Starts at -20, finishes at -6.

If Qantas boards faster than US airlines, it would be due to various other factors, nothing to do with priority boarding but mostly to do with the immense amount of carry-on baggage that the US has to to deal with which slows everything down. Reasons for this:
* AU: Lack of baggage fees encourages checked luggage
* AU: Most domestic travelers are on a single segment without connections, and thus more willing to check luggage compared to the US where connecting flights are the norm and many US airports have a poor reputation for luggage handling
* Connection times in Australia are long enough and airports generally competent at handling connecting baggage, so those who do have connecting itineraries are comfortable checking luggage

Does Qantas board from the rear on the tarmac? I travel domestically so rarely that I've forgotten if they do this or not. This would be unheard of in the US for security "reasons" (and also generally poorer weather making it less viable).

Qantas also has a much lower load factor than US airlines, which are almost always at 100% these days due to extremely aggressive yield management.

 

[Sabot]

If Qantas boards faster than US airlines, it would be due to various other factors, nothing to do with priority boarding but mostly to do with the immense amount of carry-on baggage that the US has to to deal with which slows everything down. Reasons for this:
* AU: Lack of baggage fees encourages checked luggage
* AU: Most domestic travelers are on a single segment without connections, and thus more willing to check luggage compared to the US where connecting flights are the norm and many US airports have a poor reputation for luggage handling
* Connection times in Australia are long enough and airports generally competent at handling connecting baggage, so those who do have connecting itineraries are comfortable checking luggage

Does Qantas board from the rear on the tarmac? I travel domestically so rarely that I've forgotten if they do this or not. This would be unheard of in the US for security "reasons" (and also generally poorer weather making it less viable).

Qantas also has a much lower load factor than US airlines, which are almost always at 100% these days due to extremely aggressive yield management.

Yeah they board from the rear pretty regularly on the B737.

My comment still stands, ban all carry-on that won't fit under your seat.

 

[Fifa]

Ive actually chatted to fa's about this ... As they are the ones that actually board the passengers, they are not too keen on sending somebody that has been waiting in one line (possibly through no fault of their own due to poor signage/inadequate terminal design etc) to the back of another loooong line and then having to deal with them in flight in one capacity or another. Crew have enough conflict points they need to deal with on a daily basis. They dont need more do they? At least if ground staff were actively involved, then they could enforce the procedure and then walk away once boarding is complete and not have to deal with the pax any further

Put the ground staff member on the priority boarding queue and leave the FA on the standard queue.

 

[Max Samuels]

Hilariously Qantas just sent me an email reminding me of my OWE benefits....

"Priority boarding on selected Qantas operated flights#"

It's the 4th benefit the list..... not buried in the fine print.

I wonder what the "#" disclaimer is?

Probably: #we reserve the right to never do this

 

[AIRwin]

I wonder what the "#" disclaimer is?

#

Priority boarding is available for Gold, Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyer members and Sapphire and Emerald oneworld members for Qantas operated domestic flights in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and on selected Qantas operated international flights with a QF flight number on your ticket.​

 

[woodborer]

Hilariously Qantas just sent me an email reminding me of my OWE benefits....

"Priority boarding on selected Qantas operated flights#"

It's the 4th benefit the list..... not buried in the fine print.

I wonder what the "#" disclaimer is?

Probably: #we reserve the right to never do this

As noted by Danger earlier, it is limited to seven domestic ports.

Well, well, well. Isn't this timely. A few hours ago I received an email from Qantas with the subject line "Danger, your tier benefits are global."

Guess what's listed as one of the "global" benefits? Priority boarding. But, wait. We all know how much Qantas loves its footnotes and yep, you guessed it, there's one alongside priority boarding. Qantas apparently only offers priority boarding at just seven domestic ports and "Selected Qantas operated flights" [my emphasis]. What? If it's not bad enough that the subject line spruiks "global" benefits, Qantas openly states it's ignoring oneworld policy. Over on the oneworld website, priority boarding is listed as a benefit of the Sapphire and Emerald tiers - and there's not a footnote to be seen.

This is absurd.

 

[Max Samuels]

As noted by Danger earlier, it is limited to seven domestic ports.

Which is even more absurd, because I (pretty much like many members, I imagine) fly almost exclusively out of those 7 airports.... and those 7 airports are the ones people are always complaining about.

 

[Fergo747]

I suspect the absolute failure of PB (particularly on trunk routes) is also due to the fact that so much of the population on the aircraft are eligible for PB. In the thread on 'How many Platinums are there' it was noted on one flight there was 40+ WP and on another there were >20 WP or higher. Extrapolate this out to include SG's, those in J without status and those that don't have status but are travelling with someone that does, you can easily see that 30% of a 737 would be eligible for PB.

 

[jakeseven7]

I suspect the absolute failure of PB (particularly on trunk routes) is also due to the fact that so much of the population on the aircraft are eligible for PB. In the thread on 'How many Platinums are there' it was noted on one flight there was 40+ WP and on another there were >20 WP or higher. Extrapolate this out to include SG's, those in J without status and those that don't have status but are travelling with someone that does, you can easily see that 30% of a 737 would be eligible for PB.

Its obvious that QF are thinning the ranks of WP (maybe WP1) and SG as well with the removal of blanket double status credits. I suspect from about Feb/Mar 2020 the numbers will start moving down a bit...

 

[jakeseven7]

I was thinking, why doesn't AFF do an official letter to QF on behalf of it's members and see if they get a response on why it doesn't seem to be a priority etc? There is a lot of justified moaning about this but very little proactive action...

One of my most liked posts ever.....! seems like there is an appetite for this to see what answer we get back.

The only reason I thought of it was that AFF did a submission regarding customer loyalty schemes that although I personally disagreed with alot of what was written (thought it was a bit naive to be honest) it used the power of the AFF brand in its submission.

@support What do you think of an AFF branded letter to QF on behalf of AFF on priority boarding, providing some suggestions for improvement and asking them if there are any plans to improve etc? I'm happy to take the plunge, canvas member views via a seperate poll and thread and draft the letter??

 

[Danielb56]

I think there are bigger issues they should focus on, such as the state of meals in business class. Having been at the Platinum level for a number of years now I'm not especially fussed with the lack of PB and unsure why it irks people so much. More recently, my last flight with them a staff member actually did turn away a tour group who had lined up in the wrong lane, and as I was next in line it worked out great for me... but I was happy to wait, it's not like the plane was going to get away any quicker or they were going to look after me better before closing the door. Now... if there had been a glass of champagne waiting at my seat, different story.

I'm with Samh400...domestic flights are neither here or there when it comes to priority boarding. It's more on the Int sector that, for me, works best. However

Priority boarding is an advertised benefit for Qantas Business, Platinum and Gold customers (and their Oneworld equivalents). Yet, as we all know, Qantas makes no effort to actually implement an effective priority boarding system for domestic flights. It's a common source of frustration every single time I fly with Qantas domestically. And it's a shame because VA is able to do it very well.

The reasons it doesn't work - and in turn the solutions - seem so obvious yet Qantas doesn't seem to have even attempted to fix this. As far as I can tell, the problems are that:

• Boarding from the general queue and priority queue takes place simultaneously. The solution would be to board everyone in the priority queue and then start boarding in the general queue. It's just common sense and common practice at pretty much every other airline; I don't understand why this doesn't already happen.
• The flight attendants rarely actually check to make sure those in the priority queue are meant to be there. The solution is easy - turn away passengers that shouldn't be there (like VA does). I get that some flight attendants might not want to do this because they're going to see the passengers again on board, but it's necessary if priority boarding is to work.

I really think that Qantas should either attempt to fix its broken system or just stop advertising priority boarding as a benefit. Because it seems they have no intention of providing it.

FWIW, after my latest Qantas MEL-SYD flight - where the priority line was longer than the general line and I was one of the very last to board - I complained to QF customer care and was promised 5,000 Qantas points as compensation. If you've had a similarly frustrating experience with priority boarding not working, perhaps you might want to complain to Qantas as well. The points aside, if enough people complain they might actually be compelled to do something.

I am with Samh004 that its not a real issue on domestic flights as boarding usually is quite quick and not too much of a hassle. Its more on the International sectors that I see the benefit. However, I agree with Mattg that if you advertise something then just do it...otherwise its false advertising. In saying all that I also believe it is indicative of what is happening with Qantas internally...when it comes to customer service who cares...!!!!

 

[Rangalad]

I suspect the absolute failure of PB (particularly on trunk routes) is also due to the fact that so much of the population on the aircraft are eligible for PB. In the thread on 'How many Platinums are there' it was noted on one flight there was 40+ WP and on another there were >20 WP or higher. Extrapolate this out to include SG's, those in J without status and those that don't have status but are travelling with someone that does, you can easily see that 30% of a 737 would be eligible for PB.

Have been on flights with at least 30 and once 40 Platinum and above. A Gold FF was complaining about not getting a ‘good’ seat. CSM advised over 40 on board with higher status!

 

[Quickstatus]

Slightly off topic, but banning all carry on luggage other than handbags and similar which will fit under the seat would be a great way of speeding things up during boarding

No more waiting for idiots who don't know how to use the overhead storage.
No more fighting for bin-space.
No more tears to the stewardess when your carry-on is slightly oversized/weight (If they ever enforced it LOL).

no more Veronicas tantrums

 

[Port Power]

I just have to buck the trend to say priority boarding has been implemented on every domestic flight I have flown for the last 12-14 months. These are all to and from Perth. The lane signs were up and each lane easy to see in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Once there was actually a staff member checking boarding passes in the long PB queue but only a few told to move. Aircraft was a 737 and yes, there were that many Platinum and Gold FF boarding that day.

If I wait in the lounge a little longer, the FAs by then are calling people over into the PB queue to expedite boarding. Some folk do then move across in anticipation.

 

[samh004]

Other than the fact it is an advertised benefit, both with Qantas and Oneworld, I have to consider what happens next on my domestic flight if it works as advertised:

• Sat in Economy: I leave the lounge at my leisure and wander to the gate. There's a massive non-priority line and a mostly empty priority line. I get my BP scanned fairly quickly so I'm not stood at the gate long, but then invariably end up stuck standing in a stuffy aerobridge for a while, before getting to my seat early enough to stow my items above my head. I sit down early, but have to move when A/B or E/F arrive and want to get into their seats. I watch other passengers squash my bags as they try to get their bags into the overhead space and I realise that I am going to be sat in the same seat for longer than most as I got here earlier. I'm not sure about others, but after sitting in the lounge and looking forward to sitting in the same uncomfortable airline seat for over an hour, the time I am stood up and able to stretch in between those two points is actually nice.
• Sat in Business: Pretty much the same as Economy, leaving the lounge at my leisure, skipping a large non-priority line and getting my BP scanned quickly. Ending up stuck in an aerobridge, but hey, at least I'm stood up as I know I'm going to be sat down for quite a bit coming up. There's generally less overhead space in Business so at least I get some near me. I might only need to get up once to let someone into their seat, or not at all if in row 1. Cabin crew don't usually offer me a drink until the very end of boarding, so I'm doing nothing for quite a while. When they do offer me a drink... it's a still or sparkling water. They could change their policies and offer me something I might like, such as a sparkling wine, but I realise I'm not on a full service airline in a premium cabin... oh wait?!

I then spend the rest of the flight either sat in an uncomfortable or slightly-more-comfortable seat and as soon as I land and the seatbelt sign goes off, I can't wait to stand up. Yes, part of it is I just want some fresh air, but another part of it is I have been sat down for so long it's actually more comfortable to stand and I realise at this point that had priority boarding not worked on my departure, I might not have felt as bad as I wouldn't have been sitting as long; and it's not like arriving early actually helped me that much onboard.

Therefore, I'd be more inclined for it to work if it coincided with a policy change in pre-departure drinks for the Business cabin. At least that way my legs will be numb!

 

[MickC32]

Just put the lounge dragons on the gate, they have NO problems turning people away!

 

[Max Samuels]

They could change their policies and offer me something I might like, such as a sparkling wine, but I realise I'm not on a full service airline in a premium cabin... oh wait?!

Yeah I have NEVER understood why they are so coughe with the pre-dept drinks in J. Soooooooooo cheap. Especially since it is such an expensive product! VA do it. AA do it. In fact, even on American Eagle operated AA flights on tiny little aircraft, they always off booze to customers in F.....

Oh Qantas.... I understand you have to tighten the belt to afford AJ's outrageous salary so he can afford his upcoming wedding... but seriously?? Still or sparkling water??

What a joke.

 

[AFF Editor]

One of my most liked posts ever.....! seems like there is an appetite for this to see what answer we get back.

The only reason I thought of it was that AFF did a submission regarding customer loyalty schemes that although I personally disagreed with alot of what was written (thought it was a bit naive to be honest) it used the power of the AFF brand in its submission.

@support What do you think of an AFF branded letter to QF on behalf of AFF on priority boarding, providing some suggestions for improvement and asking them if there are any plans to improve etc? I'm happy to take the plunge, canvas member views via a seperate poll and thread and draft the letter??

We have indeed been in touch with Qantas about this, and I have some good news. Qantas has listened to the feedback and will introduce an enhanced premium boarding experience from next Monday. (Yes, Qantas really did use the word "enhance" to describe these changes!)

Details here: Qantas Vows to Fix Priority Boarding

 

[jakeseven7]

We have indeed been in touch with Qantas about this, and I have some good news. Qantas has listened to the feedback and will introduce an enhanced premium boarding experience from next Monday. (Yes, Qantas really did use the word "enhance" to describe these changes!)

Details here: Qantas Vows to Fix Priority Boarding

Flying 2 sectors on Tuesday will be very excited to test drive this....!

Will be interesting to see how much time they allow PB for...

And to clarify - is PB for everyone on the same PNR as someone eligible? (e.g. if I'm WP and I have 4 others travelling with me who are non WP, do I get to bring along them all?)

 

[SeatBackForward]

We have indeed been in touch with Qantas about this, and I have some good news. Qantas has listened to the feedback and will introduce an enhanced premium boarding experience from next Monday. (Yes, Qantas really did use the word "enhance" to describe these changes!)

Details here: Qantas Vows to Fix Priority Boarding

Cool, doing the SYD>MEL in Peak hour thing on Monday, so will be interesting to see if there really are that many WP;s doing the commute.