Qantas to Introduce Group Boarding and Bag Tracking

[pauly7]

The last time I flew BA, I was in row 1. They insisted that I put a bag under the non existing seat.

Same! I also got their ‘under seat’ tag forcibly attached to my bag which as soon as they finished I tore off and put in the bin in front of the gate dragon

 

[Jean Prouvaire]

The last time I flew BA, I was in row 1. They insisted that I put a bag under the non existing seat.

There is a seat in front of row 1, but I don't know if the pilot would allow you to store your bag under it.

 

[Flashback]

The last time I flew BA, I was in row 1. They insisted that I put a bag under the non existing seat.

Same! I also got their ‘under seat’ tag forcibly attached to my bag which as soon as they finished I tore off and put in the bin in front of the gate dragon

Seems rather odd, in over 50 flights in row 1 (Club Europe) I've never had that happen..... perhaps they were having a bad day or running on auto pilot. In fact, on my flight DBV-LHR 2 days ago the lady across the aisle in 1D put her bag under her seat and was told she wasn't allowed, as that was space for 2D.

 

[milehighclub]

Trial is about to extend to SYD next on A330 services to PER. The groups have also been renamed with group now 1-6.

 

[justinbrett]

The groups have also been renamed with group now 1-6.

Fantastic news - I figured that would happen eventually.

 

[henrus]

The groups have also been renamed with group now 1-6

Any details of what 1-6 looks like?

Group 1 - J, OWE?

 

[PERLHR]

Like most if not all of one world these days. If like BA it will be a disaster. Groups 1-3 called at the same time...or if one or two called you have 30 seconds then the rest. 4-6 called about one mi Ute after 1-3. Carnage at the gates .. hope it works better but I doubt it. Also business class not called separately so could be well down the Q for boarding.

 

[justinbrett]

Any details of what 1-6 looks like?

Group 1 - J, OWE?

I assume it's just the current groups Priority (WP+), 1 (SG), 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B renumbered. (ie, the original trial already had six groups, just a stupid numbering system)

 

[justinbrett]

Like most if not all of one world these days. If like BA it will be a disaster. Groups 1-3 called at the same time...or if one or two called you have 30 seconds then the rest. 4-6 called about one mi Ute after 1-3. Carnage at the gates .. hope it works better but I doubt it. Also business class not called separately so could be well down the Q for boarding.

I think AA has a flawless boarding group system, it's worked perfectly every time I've flown them, as far as I can recall.

The QF system is pretty similar, just with the added option of rear boarding.

I couldn't fault BA widebody boarding but admit it was a bit of a shambles leaving LHR on an A320.

 

[Flashback]

I think AA has a flawless boarding group system, it's worked perfectly every time I've flown them, as far as I can recall.

The QF system is pretty similar, just with the added option of rear boarding.

I couldn't fault BA widebody boarding but admit it was a bit of a shambles leaving LHR on an A320.

BA has been good for me, apart from @ T3. T3 they called Group 1-3 which I haven't seen done in many years. T5 is always done properly IME.

 

[PERLHR]

BA has been good for me, apart from @ T3. T3 they called Group 1-3 which I haven't seen done in many years. T5 is always done properly IME.

Certainly not in my recent experience. Terrible at T5. Poorly monitored, awful congestion at the gates, no priority boarding...and just a mad scramble. As bad as I have ever seen there actually ..(just done 4 sectors in last 7 days. ). Not one was good experience. It's standard by the way for calling group 1-3 followed by 4-6. Infact the signs in use state that.

 

[justinbrett]

Certainly not in my recent experience. Terrible at T5. Poorly monitored, awful congestion at the gates, no priority boarding...and just a mad scramble. As bad as I have ever seen there actually ..(just done 4 sectors in last 7 days. ). Not one was good experience. It's standard by the way for calling group 1-3 followed by 4-6. Infact the signs in use state that.

I found the B/C gates fine - A was a shambles.

 

[Flashback]

Certainly not in my recent experience. Terrible at T5. Poorly monitored, awful congestion at the gates, no priority boarding...and just a mad scramble. As bad as I have ever seen there actually ..(just done 4 sectors in last 7 days. ). Not one was good experience. It's standard by the way for calling group 1-3 followed by 4-6. Infact the signs in use state that.

Interesting, my recent experience was last week at T3 - so maybe a sign of a bigger issue?

I'm flying out of LHR twice tomorrow, so let's see how that goes.

 

[PERLHR]

Interesting, my recent experience was last week at T3 - so maybe a sign of a bigger issue?

I'm flying out of LHR twice tomorrow, so let's see how that goes.

Would be good to know. As always one does wonder if it's just the staff controlling the gate but I fear not. Keen for feedback with your experience tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[Daver6]

I think AA has a flawless boarding group system, it's worked perfectly every time I've flown them, as far as I can recall.

While I agree it's well enforced, it's hardly an efficient system. I'm amazed at how long it takes to get everyone on-board a AA 737.

 

[DC3]

While I agree it's well enforced, it's hardly an efficient system. I'm amazed at how long it takes to get everyone on-board a AA 737.

Finding room for all of the kitchen sinks

 

[justinbrett]

While I agree it's well enforced, it's hardly an efficient system. I'm amazed at how long it takes to get everyone on-board a AA 737.

Rear boarding and not having unlimited carry on weights would help.

As group 1 in F I don't mind, all the more time to drink my G&T.

 

[jakeseven7]

Has anyone actually had personal experience on the trial flights yet?

 

[JessicaTam]

Has anyone actually had personal experience on the trial flights yet?

I will have in about an hour. As I don’t need overhead locker space I will sit back and watch for a while.

They do need a bigger ‘Group’ indicator. Perhaps under the flight number.

 

[JessicaTam]

Gate 19 is the only gate with this signage: