Qantas to Introduce Group Boarding and Bag Tracking

[Brettmcg]

Flew CBR-MEL on QF last week. Arrived at the gate after boarding had started, and the ground staff were just boarding both lines simultaneously. They also weren't checking that anyone in the priority line was actually entitled to be there.

I find it disappointing that even after investing in all these changes, Qantas still can't get the basics of priority boarding right.

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CBR isn't one of the airports operating group boarding at this stage, so you're likely stuck with the old process which was a dog's breakfast.

 

[kookaburra75]

CBR isn't one of the airports operating group boarding at this stage, so you're likely stuck with the old process which was a dog's breakfast.

I was about to respond to Matt's post with that comment. A week ago, MrsK and I had our first experience of Group boarding for our MEL-CBR flight. It worked well, as the person in front of us (we were in Group 1) got the red light when he scanned his boarding pass, as he was in Group 2 and sent down the back.

It seems like the term "Gate Lice" is spreading too https://edition.cnn.com/travel/airline-cracks-down-on-gate-lice/index.html

 

[Mattg]

Perhaps everyone had status being Canberra

That could well be true, but even if everyone in the priority line was entitled to be there, Qantas should have finished boarding the priority queue before starting general boarding. This wasn't happening as both lanes were being processed at the same time.

If Qantas has no intention of offering priority boarding in CBR, maybe they should just remove the priority signage.

 

[RealtimeY]

I recently had the pleasure of having group 2 all to myself once the long line of group 1s had gone through. Perhaps gold is the new sweet spot?

 

[kpro]

I've definitely seen people's boarding passes being rejected by the gate scanner for not being in the current group that's been called. Is that system not in place in Canberra?

 

[elanshin]

I actually wish they get on with the rollout to all the cities and the Int'l routes. The a380s REALLY need this badly.

Your premium boarding has 144 PAX + status holders. That's most a 737 in premium pax alone and it can get mighty chaotic.

 

[milehighclub]

I actually wish they get on with the rollout to all the cities and the Int'l routes. The a380s REALLY need this badly.

You're in luck. They started trialing international flights ex PER on the15th. Given how successful it went, from today it will be all International flights ex PER and SYD, so a quick rollout from trial to live.

 

[Daver6]

You're in luck. They started trialing international flights ex PER on the15th. Given how successful it went, from today it will be all International flights ex PER and SYD, so a quick rollout from trial to live.

The boarding gates used for QFi out of PER are problematic in the sense that there area around the gate isn't very deep. So it's quite hard for people to see what's going on near that gate and as a result, everyone lands up crowding around it. It's a rather poor design IMHO.

 

[TheInsider]

You're in luck. They started trialing international flights ex PER on the15th. Given how successful it went, from today it will be all International flights ex PER and SYD, so a quick rollout from trial to live.

Also, all other ports and Qlink flights will start shortly

 

[pauly7]

Also, all other ports and Qlink flights will start shortly

Really? Fantastic.

 

[Cognac]

The boarding gates used for QFi out of PER are problematic in the sense that there area around the gate isn't very deep. So it's quite hard for people to see what's going on near that gate and as a result, everyone lands up crowding around it. It's a rather poor design IMHO.

Yeah, you basically have to stand in the cafe to see what's going on if you're not already in the queue. And sometimes the priority queue to gate 18 might as well just start at the lounge exit. Mind you, there's a lot about T3/T4 that's not ideal. Even the domestic side of things is pretty awful.

I've had a few experiences with group boarding on QF now, it's been pretty seamless as far as I can tell. I've seen a few rejections at the scanner, but usually pretty quick flowing. Even when I've shown up "late" with later groups the line has been moving relatively quickly.

 

[SeatBackForward]

You're in luck. They started trialing international flights ex PER on the15th. Given how successful it went, from today it will be all International flights ex PER and SYD, so a quick rollout from trial to live.

Also, all other ports and Qlink flights will start shortly

Brilliant, have a QFi flight in economy on the weekend, so will be keen to see how this pans out of SYD.

 

[TheInsider]

Brilliant, have a QFi flight in economy on the weekend, so will be keen to see how this pans out of SYD.

I don't know how quick it would be implemented though but it is coming 'soon'.
Also for all international moreso onshore flights.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I don't know how quick it would be implemented though but it is coming 'soon'.
Also for all international moreso onshore flights.

Was basing it on @milehighclub mentioning "from today it will be all International flights ex PER and SYD"

 

[dairyfloss]

You're in luck. They started trialing international flights ex PER on the15th. Given how successful it went, from today it will be all International flights ex PER and SYD, so a quick rollout from trial to live.

Glad to hear this, but also curious as to whether it might assist at all for the SYD bus gates? I've found the only problems I've had with priority boarding over the years at SYD is with international fights departing from 26-29 on the lower level / bus gates. Is there any benefit to a higher class of travel or status with these departures, or just need to deal with the queues to get down and through with everyone else?

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Kangol]

I recently had the pleasure of having group 2 all to myself once the long line of group 1s had gone through. Perhaps gold is the new sweet spot?

In some cases, Gold is better than Platinum/P1.
I had a flight where the the first boarding announcement was for both groups 1 and 2.
A group 2 passenger boarded in front of me (group 1).

 

[henrus]

I had a flight where the the first boarding announcement was for both groups 1 and 2.

Never seen that occur, hopefully that doesn’t become the norm.

 

[DejaBrew]

I had a flight where the the first boarding announcement was for both groups 1 and 2.

Light loading? Which airport?

Admittedly haven't had much experience with the group boarding thus far, but I've only ever seen the groups called one by one.

 

[Kangol]

Light loading? Which airport?

Admittedly haven't had much experience with the group boarding thus far, but I've only ever seen the groups called one by one.

SYD. Not too heavy, not too light from memory. Light in elites I think.

 

[JIMMYTHEJET]

Glad to hear this, but also curious as to whether it might assist at all for the SYD bus gates? I've found the only problems I've had with priority boarding over the years at SYD is with international fights departing from 26-29 on the lower level / bus gates. Is there any benefit to a higher class of travel or status with these departures, or just need to deal with the queues to get down and through with everyone else?

Cheers,
Matt.

On my recent flight to nz it was board by bus .
You go down the escalators when they start calling your flight .

There was two lanes one for business and other economy so I think two way boarding