QF new "slimline" airport signage

[RichardMEL]

I noticed this week at MEL new slimline signage in place - I took some snaps on my return at a gate of the boarding area signs, but I saw the same kinds of signage at check in areas (inc international).

Gone are the big chunky signs (I saw them still in SYD yesterday) and now jut these thin columns with the same grey or red colour scheme, but the appropriate wording down vertically rather than horizontal. Notice also the VERY SMALL oneworld priority at the bottom for the priority line.

I am not a fan to be honest. I think this is easy to miss and for those not used to it not terribly helpful - doubly so at check in. It actually took me a while to find the J check in line! OK that may just be me, but I think, while these may be far lighter and easier for staff to manage etc than the big ones, it's not the most customer friendly design change.




Comments welcome

 

[encryptededdy]

I think these have been around Melbourne international for ages, and it seems they are more or less unique to Melbourne?

 

[RichardMEL]

I think these have been around Melbourne international for ages, and it seems they are more or less unique to Melbourne?

It's true I have not troubled QF MEL International check in for some years (I used to use the F check in of course) but these signs at domestic gates are definitely new during the past few weeks.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It doesn't matter what the sign says or what it looks like, people will continue to try attempting to board in business even when they don't remotely qualify. What is crucial IMHO isn't things like signage but boarding process and enforcement by gate agents. In other words, the agents need to process the business queue first before processing the economy queue. They also need to check the boarding pass to see if someone qualifies to early board before letting them through. Solve those two issues and frankly the signs could be in Malaysian and people would know what to do!

-RooFlyer88

 

[encryptededdy]

It's true I have not troubled QF MEL International check in for some years (I used to use the F check in of course) but these signs at domestic gates are definitely new during the past few weeks.

Ahh domestic. That is indeed new then.

Also, if the business boarding sign has OneWorld Ruby, then why is Silver on the list?

 

[RichardMEL]

It doesn't matter what the sign says or what it looks like, people will continue to try attempting to board in business even when they don't remotely qualify. What is crucial IMHO isn't things like signage but boarding process and enforcement by gate agents. In other words, the agents need to process the business queue first before processing the economy queue. They also need to check the boarding pass to see if someone qualifies to early board before letting them through. Solve those two issues and frankly the signs could be in Malaysian and people would know what to do!

-RooFlyer88

Totally different issue - and as you know there's a whole thread on that.

I'd also note not ALL people try to board where they're not supposed to. I actually witnessed some people this week realise they were in the PB line and moved out to the regular line (I thought they should stay for that act alone lol)

My point is one about wayfinding. These anorexic signs make it that much harder for people to know exactly where to go - specially with the smaller (and vertical) text and the tiny oneworld branding RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM! it's like QF doesn't want to acknowledge it at all somehow.

Post automatically merged: Dec 10, 2022

Ahh domestic. That is indeed new then.

Also, if the business boarding sign has OneWorld Ruby, then why is Silver on the list?

Good pick up. I noted the ruby also and honestly couldn't remember if that was new or not (but since it's obviously there, why not QF Silver too? confusing!).

 

[AIRwin]

I have not troubled QF MEL International check in

They shouldn't find you a trouble...

 

[AIRwin]

the signs could be in Malaysian

Malaysian is not a language (same as Australian or Austrian)

 

[encryptededdy]

Good pick up. I noted the ruby also and honestly couldn't remember if that was new or not (but since it's obviously there, why not QF Silver too? confusing!).

Yeah it's odd. Ruby (nor silver) isn't meant to have priority boarding, although QF sometimes boards them with Premium Economy (if I recall correctly). Either way, it almost feels like whoever designed this doesn't really understand what they're doing, and probably just found a generic oneworld priority image and stuck it at the bottom. I bet there's even a chance this design is against oneworld design guidelines for how its logos should be used.

 

[Lynda2475]

When I flew SYD-BNE a few weeks ago they had this slimline at the SYD gate (7 I think) I boarded from (was one of the ones opposite the now boarded up fibe glass plane which used to have a travelator through it). Weirdly they only had the Red Economy one, there was not one for premium at all.

 

[Quickstatus]

Malaysian is not a language

But it is if you consider English as a language.

Bahasa Malaysia, AKA Bahasa Melayu, or simply Malay is a recognised language. It is spoken in slightly different variations across South East Asia - Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor and even parts of Thailand and the Phillipines. The geographical differences are enough to make it unique

 

[AIRwin]

Bahasa Malaysia, AKA Bahasa Melayu, or simply Malay is a recognised language.

Terima kasih!

 

[Quickstatus]

Terima kasih!

Sama Sama!

Or maybe

Tak Ada Masalah!...

......
In Malay (IIRC)
Economy boarding : Lorong Menaiki Ekonomi
Business boarding: Lorong Menaiki Perniagaan

 

[AIRwin]

Sama Sama!

Or maybe

Tak Ada Masalah!

Tak apa lah!

 

[dk4]

...and it seems they are more or less unique to Melbourne?

odd that you say that, i saw extremely similar ones used by Virgin in Melbourne at T4... I remember because of the two cut outs in the middle for hands to hold them, and move them easily. The Virgin guy I saw wondering along the T4 pier was removing them after a flight had departed (as T4 aerobridge gates are over-flow for Virgin, with Rex and Jetstar also using them.)

 

[eminere]

Malaysian is not a language (same as Australian or Austrian)

Was going to comment on the same thing.

Post automatically merged: Dec 10, 2022

But it is if you consider English as a language.

It really isn't. Malay = the language (or the race, depending on the context), Malaysian = the nationality.

 

[milehighclub]

I think this design is mandated by the airport. Here is Thai and Cathay signs, identical shape from a YouTube video

 

[UP4014]

I guess a couple of cardboard tubes is cheap. I would think rather than airport mandated the supplier comes up with the cheap idea and all jump on board. The wheelie signs would be about $600 each and cardboard tube $40 to go over existing bollard.

Noted in Melb and Canberra this week.

 

[TheInsider]

I guess a couple of cardboard tubes is cheap. I would think rather than airport mandated the supplier comes up with the cheap idea and all jump on board. The wheelie signs would be about $600 each and cardboard tube $40 to go over existing bollard.

Noted in Melb and Canberra this week.

Not airport mandated in T1.

For the signs there were plenty of maintenance issues with the wheelie signs and passenger injuries from standing on them...

These are cheaper and don't break and now fit in with the rest of the airport.