Qantas to Introduce Group Boarding and Bag Tracking

[TheInsider]

Absolutely agree, very overdue and no reason it can't be done now.

It will be happening, but still a matter of airport authorities, airport IT infrastructure that's not QF run or owned and testing for different aircraft types

 

[elanshin]

It will be happening, but still a matter of airport authorities, airport IT infrastructure that's not QF run or owned and testing for different aircraft types

But don't other airlines already segregate customers like F, J, W, Y.

Then you can subdivide among that with status pax.

 

[Lynda2475]

Surely allocating a boarding group on a boarding pass is solely within QFs control.

For flights departing for the US passengers are held back from the actual gate so no real reason why they can't call by class and boarding group within class. And on return, all the US airports are more than familiar with the group boarding concept.

Imo should have started with A380, bigger the plane more chaotic the boarding without proper priority.

But good to hear much needed

 

[tdimdad]

It will be happening, but still a matter of airport authorities, airport IT infrastructure that's not QF run or owned and testing for different aircraft types

It won't need any IT but can be run on a manual process, just like JL and CX do it: have an agent comb the queues and guide people into the right ones. It's about the want, not the tools. The tools will just automate parts of it and take manual effort off the process.

 

[TheInsider]

It won't need any IT but can be run on a manual process, just like JL and CX do it: have an agent comb the queues and guide people into the right ones. It's about the want, not the tools. The tools will just automate parts of it and take manual effort off the process.

So basically, what it has been since forever, a manual process. We know how well that has worked and is working.

 

[justinbrett]

For flights departing for the US passengers are held back from the actual gate

On my last flight to the US (QF11) the helpful agent (not in QF uniform - the guys that check for the US screening stickers) didn't want to let me through because he was just checking for business class, despite the agent with the PA also calling for WP/OWE.

 

[Daver6]

Group boarding is sorely needed on international - especially A380s.

QF1 just boarded at SYD gate 8 with "Premium Boarding" instead of separate First & Business lanes. The following categories all converged simultaneously once they called this.

First
Business
Premium Economy
Qantas Platinum One
Qantas Platinum
Qantas Gold
Oneworld Emerald
Oneworld Sapphire
Emirates Platinum
Emirates Gold

It is a full flight. F+J+W combined is 144 people. With status pax, I would estimate somewhere between 250 and 300 people in total, filtered down a single boarding lane. Total coughshow as you'd imagine.

Imagine you'd paid QF1 First prices...

I don't understand why they regressed. They used to have four clear boarding lanes for the A380 based on cabin. Worked well.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I don't understand why they regressed. They used to have four clear boarding lanes for the A380 based on cabin. Worked well.

I think you will find this is an "enhancement" and you've simply misunderstood it to be a regression. It's OK, you're forgiven, and you're welcome.

 

[itsjackson]

I've always done the trick of having my OWE ff number attached to my booking and getting my boarding pass with priority printed on it, then changing the ff number to my QF one right before boarding. I'm guessing, under the new system, that would no longer allow me to board with group 1?
In this case, would I have to choose from either priority boarding or getting my flights credited to my QF account, my understanding is once you are scanned at the gate, you can't change the ff number on the booking.

 

[RealtimeY]

In my experience it's been once you hit the scheduled departure time of the first flight that those online FF number change options close

 

[dairyfloss]

I've always done the trick of having my OWE ff number attached to my booking and getting my boarding pass with priority printed on it, then changing the ff number to my QF one right before boarding. I'm guessing, under the new system, that would no longer allow me to board with group 1?
In this case, would I have to choose from either priority boarding or getting my flights credited to my QF account, my understanding is once you are scanned at the gate, you can't change the ff number on the booking.

There's a way (or at least used to be a way) to indicate a seperate FF account for airline status vs the FF program to credit to on a booking, but apparently it's not something you can easily do on your own. I think it needs a skilled & willing agent (not QF ) to help with this.

An older article from AFF explains, here: Using Status Benefits & Earning Points with Different Programs

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[RealtimeY]

Apparently not with QF

 

[Danger]

I've always done the trick of having my OWE ff number attached to my booking and getting my boarding pass with priority printed on it, then changing the ff number to my QF one right before boarding. I'm guessing, under the new system, that would no longer allow me to board with group 1?
In this case, would I have to choose from either priority boarding or getting my flights credited to my QF account, my understanding is once you are scanned at the gate, you can't change the ff number on the booking.

My first question is, how are you changing the number?

Second, I think in theory you're right, even if you have a pass showing your entitlement to board with a particular group, it's what the computer says at the time of scanning. I haven't followed the discussion on whether or not gate agents can override, but I suspect if you present a boarding pass that matches the group you're boarding in, agents would (if they indeed have the ability to) override the computer.

Third, I'm not aware of any limitation on changing the number after boarding. In fact, I had a recent example which shows it was frustratingly possible. I flew on Monday at 7am. Just prior to boarding, I asked for my QF number to be completely removed. Multiple hours after landing (probably the next day), I added my QFF number back. On Wednesday afternoon I flew again. The Wednesday flight credited to Qantas (as it should have), but so did the Monday flight, two days prior. I've had Qantas uncredit it but, of course, the other airline that I've claimed the flight against has rejected it because Qantas says 'Flight credited to another program' (a new battle).

Apparently not with QF

A young lady in the business lounge in Canberra has certainly been able to do it for me on more than one occasion in the past (several years ago).

 

[sudoer]

My first question is, how are you changing the number?

I believe it can be done with Finnair MMB up to boarding.

 

[Lynda2475]

They are getting very efficient at this.

This morning got to gate at 10:35am for 11am flight, boarding was supposed to commence at 10:40am, yet they were already calling group 4.

Row 17+ directed to left scanner and rear stairs, rest to right and aerobridge.

Entered premium lane as did another WP behind me, and was waived forward after they had scanned 2 group 4s. Guy next in group 4 complained he was next, crew explained group 1 always have priority.

Best bit by calling attention to himself, crew observed he was in excess of 2 pieces of carry-on ( had a case, over stuffed backpack that could not go under seat and a large shopping bag) and made him check his wheeled case. Win.

The FA was also sending others in excess of carry-on back up ramp to gate check bags in excess of 2 pieces. This policing of hand luggage is awesome and so overdue.

 

[exceladdict]

Interestingly today I had a flight call boarding "first and final" in the lounge 10 minutes early. Get to gate and boarding hadn't started. Waited about 5 mins before group boarding commenced

 

[SeatBackForward]

This policing of hand luggage is awesome and so overdue.

Agree.

 

[RooFlyer]

I don't mind, as long as they continue to allow J pax more leeway.

 

[Mattg]

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.

 

[747sp]

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.

View attachment 413413

Perhaps everyone had status being Canberra