Feb 6, 2017, 2:07 am
Last edit by: lkrt
Here we try to keep an up-to-date list of who-goes-where. Finnair may have tuned the boarding groups since the first introduction, so some entries here are not confirmed.
Pre-boarding (those in need of assistance, UM, travellers with children of any age)
Group 1: J-pax, AY Lumo, AY Plat, Oneworld Emerald
Group 2: AY Gold, Oneworld Sapphire
Group 3: AY Silver, Oneworld Ruby
Group 4–5: Other customers, depending on seating
Assignment of group
Group is assigned based on ticket type and status of individual frequent flyer card attached to booking. All customers on the same booking are assigned the same group, i.e., based on the highest tier in the party.
The boarding groups are printed on paper boarding pass on every route with capital letters "GROUP 1". The group also appears on digital boarding passes.
Enforcement of Boarding order
Enforcement of groups is haphazard. Sometimes groups are called out, sometimes a call like "we invite our priority customers to board first or at any time". Groups are rarely checked on boarding though and on shorthaul no aids (like ribbons, signs) are used either. At HEL automatic boarding gates have been introduced which means "priority boarding" in now enforced.
Pre-boarding (those in need of assistance, UM, travellers with children of any age)
Group 1: J-pax, AY Lumo, AY Plat, Oneworld Emerald
Group 2: AY Gold, Oneworld Sapphire
Group 3: AY Silver, Oneworld Ruby
Group 4–5: Other customers, depending on seating
Assignment of group
Group is assigned based on ticket type and status of individual frequent flyer card attached to booking. All customers on the same booking are assigned the same group, i.e., based on the highest tier in the party.
The boarding groups are printed on paper boarding pass on every route with capital letters "GROUP 1". The group also appears on digital boarding passes.
Enforcement of Boarding order
Enforcement of groups is haphazard. Sometimes groups are called out, sometimes a call like "we invite our priority customers to board first or at any time". Groups are rarely checked on boarding though and on shorthaul no aids (like ribbons, signs) are used either. At HEL automatic boarding gates have been introduced which means "priority boarding" in now enforced.
Boarding groups - finally?
Apr 26, 2017, 3:15 pm
#183
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,601
I had a very very neat boarding process recently with H2. Gate agents early enough at gate, making clear announcement, 2 (actually 3rd for priority) lines prepared with clear signs with rows 1-14 and 15-X, where they started with a priority boarding 2 ladies checking all prioritys, then proceeding with the line of 15+ strictly. There was no hassle, people in line 1-14 neatly waited including me and plane was effectively boarded from the back.
All extras on H2 are paid. It is a LCC airplane Sky Airlines and the best so far I have experienced. Ticket was 25$ only and smily staff, courteous and punctual. While I flew LAN shorthauls and paid 30 times more expensive another ticket compared to H2, I got absolutely opposite experience and no recognition as OWE, nada. I was amazed how poor a flagship LATAM can be. They have just introduced BOB concept too, no more freebies during flight.
All extras on H2 are paid. It is a LCC airplane Sky Airlines and the best so far I have experienced. Ticket was 25$ only and smily staff, courteous and punctual. While I flew LAN shorthauls and paid 30 times more expensive another ticket compared to H2, I got absolutely opposite experience and no recognition as OWE, nada. I was amazed how poor a flagship LATAM can be. They have just introduced BOB concept too, no more freebies during flight.
May 2, 2017, 1:48 am
#188
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AY+, SK EB
Posts: 2,962
May 2, 2017, 2:07 am
#189
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
I've always seen full J cabins on AY's LH flights.
May 6, 2017, 12:27 am
#192
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
I think there were about 6 pax when I flew XIY-HEL: a Chinese couple, a noisy pair of Finnish businessmen, a musician heading back to MAN, and me, on the only revenue J ticket of my entire life.
Admittedly, XIY is not a big business destination.
Admittedly, XIY is not a big business destination.
May 6, 2017, 2:31 am
#193
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 127
Christmas eve BKK-HEL. Only me and my wife on the business class. Not single people in the cabin except us. Best chance ever to join mile high cl...ok to the point. FA`s asked is it ok if only one of them serve us and another ones goes to rest because there were more FA`s than passengers 
May 8, 2017, 7:07 am
#195
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
Recently quite well managed boarding groups at HEL and OUL from what I could see. However, few issues were spotted:
1. Do they refrain from enforcing boarding groups on ATR flights (with no bus to the aircraft)?
2. Does delayed incoming aircraft play some role in the process?
3. I would really appreciate improving the whole process by launching boarding lanes as used by e.g. LATAM. It makes it clear when one lane (group) is already boarded, while the priority is still there for those who are coming later. It also makes it clear who is the last person of Group 1, so you can avoid skipping the queue / giving way to non-G1 pax.
1. Do they refrain from enforcing boarding groups on ATR flights (with no bus to the aircraft)?
2. Does delayed incoming aircraft play some role in the process?
3. I would really appreciate improving the whole process by launching boarding lanes as used by e.g. LATAM. It makes it clear when one lane (group) is already boarded, while the priority is still there for those who are coming later. It also makes it clear who is the last person of Group 1, so you can avoid skipping the queue / giving way to non-G1 pax.