Originally Posted by
windowontheAside
I like the idea too - I'd board no hand luggage folk ahead of everyone else as they can just walk on and sit down
But it's not practical - how would you enforce it.
But to return to OPs question - I find BA can be competitive against the LCC. It just depends.
AA do just that on domestic flights, I did a day trip LGA-ORD-LGA in December last year, I only had my handbag. They called status and premium cabin first, when they started 'general boarding by group' they also called anyone with only a small personal item (me !).
I'm not sure it diminishes the amount of baggage brought into the cabin, but hey, I got to board in good time (and for some reason got pre check both ways).