Nov 15, 2014, 2:15 pm
Air Canada introduces zoned boarding
Feb 4, 2017, 3:15 pm
#3226
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YHZ | YYZ | YHM
Programs: AC 50K (*G), Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 636
I find boarding flights like AC153 and the other YYZ-YVR widebody flights to be the worst. They usually depart from D39 and D24 which don't have a whole lot of seating space so you end up with gate lice clogging up the whole hallway. When coming from the lounge or another flight trying to push your way to the zone 1/2 lines is incredibly tough.
Feb 4, 2017, 4:25 pm
#3227
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
I find boarding flights like AC153 and the other YYZ-YVR widebody flights to be the worst. They usually depart from D39 and D24 which don't have a whole lot of seating space so you end up with gate lice clogging up the whole hallway. When coming from the lounge or another flight trying to push your way to the zone 1/2 lines is incredibly tough.
Feb 4, 2017, 7:46 pm
#3228
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
Lots of connecting pax in Europe all trying to get on first. Thought LH was using the automated gates which open when you scan your boarding pass. So the GAs do not have to actually do much in terms of boarding. IST can also be a nightmare.
Feb 4, 2017, 9:48 pm
#3229
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
The lack of a designated and protected space for Zone * preboarding is a serious problem at many gates. Combine that with unclear communication and inability to anticipate pre-boarding disabilities pre-identified on the passenger list - I can tell you I probably "barge" in front of Zone 1 from time to time because I am looking for pre boarding, and nobody can communicate to me and tell me where I am supposed to freaking be. Because I am speaking, I might look like a lice but they really do a crappy job dealing with zone * / preboarding in my experience, other than perhaps wheelchair users rolled in by a pusher.
Feb 5, 2017, 11:17 pm
#3230
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
Zone boarding is a mess for AC 15 at YYZ regardless of whether it's gate 75 or 77 or whatever. Or, to be clear, pre-Zone Boarding is irrelevant and a mess.
The poor design of the gate area/boarding process is partly to blame. The pax are partly to blame.
I've watched this zoo for over a year now and I am not sure if it can ever be fixed.
While there is plenty of room to sit at these gates, once people line up for boarding, all bets are off. The lines behind stanchions on the carpet are blocked off until boarding begins. The space is not large to begin with but compounding this is that long walkway/retail hallway in the terminal. The lines from the stanchions to the wall can only have about 10-15 people and then start to turn right or left depending on space.
So, while Zone 1 can "curve" one way and 3-5 can go towards gate 73 for eg. there is nowhere for Zone 2 and it just becomes a giant huddle.
And then there are the personalities who show up well after the lines have established and just walk to the front.
The other morning there was one person who placed herself right at the front of the Zone 1 line, despite 20 people already standing in it. You could see the facial expressions, your perhaps typically Canadian roll-eyes or deep breathing techniques on display to indicate displeasure without being aggressive.
Finally, someone turned to her and said "the end of the line is over there, everyone else was here first"
The same thing happened at line 2.
Watching all of this is a great case study in human behavior and sometimes amusing. But for me and others, these are annoying FWPs and certainly no AC GA is ever going to get involved in turf battles in the Zone lines.
I can't stand YYZ and don't mind saying so. I have found boarding for TPACs at YVR more civilized due to the design of the international gate areas. Same even if boarding at 50 or 51. Even at 43-44 for domestic, it is well spaced and managed.
And then there is the fine dance of zone boarding at TPE, NRT, HND, SIN and even HKG.
So, despite AC and other airlines having these zone lines, design flaws combined with the challenge of herding cats is not enhancing my travel experience.
Interestingly, due to gate design differences at T3, boarding for CX to HKG is nothing like AC to HKG.
And for those of you tired of the complaining, I am more than happy to admit this is a perfect example of FWP, but it is my experience and I'm not enjoying it.
The poor design of the gate area/boarding process is partly to blame. The pax are partly to blame.
I've watched this zoo for over a year now and I am not sure if it can ever be fixed.
While there is plenty of room to sit at these gates, once people line up for boarding, all bets are off. The lines behind stanchions on the carpet are blocked off until boarding begins. The space is not large to begin with but compounding this is that long walkway/retail hallway in the terminal. The lines from the stanchions to the wall can only have about 10-15 people and then start to turn right or left depending on space.
So, while Zone 1 can "curve" one way and 3-5 can go towards gate 73 for eg. there is nowhere for Zone 2 and it just becomes a giant huddle.
And then there are the personalities who show up well after the lines have established and just walk to the front.
The other morning there was one person who placed herself right at the front of the Zone 1 line, despite 20 people already standing in it. You could see the facial expressions, your perhaps typically Canadian roll-eyes or deep breathing techniques on display to indicate displeasure without being aggressive.
Finally, someone turned to her and said "the end of the line is over there, everyone else was here first"
The same thing happened at line 2.
Watching all of this is a great case study in human behavior and sometimes amusing. But for me and others, these are annoying FWPs and certainly no AC GA is ever going to get involved in turf battles in the Zone lines.
I can't stand YYZ and don't mind saying so. I have found boarding for TPACs at YVR more civilized due to the design of the international gate areas. Same even if boarding at 50 or 51. Even at 43-44 for domestic, it is well spaced and managed.
And then there is the fine dance of zone boarding at TPE, NRT, HND, SIN and even HKG.
So, despite AC and other airlines having these zone lines, design flaws combined with the challenge of herding cats is not enhancing my travel experience.
Interestingly, due to gate design differences at T3, boarding for CX to HKG is nothing like AC to HKG.
And for those of you tired of the complaining, I am more than happy to admit this is a perfect example of FWP, but it is my experience and I'm not enjoying it.
I need a sandwich board
Feb 6, 2017, 11:21 am
#3231
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Feb 6, 2017, 11:35 am
#3232
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,354
I prefer an Executive Order.
Reactions to the shirt have been more from other passengers, as they're turned away. "Oh he even has his zone number on his shirt!" etc.
Reactions to the shirt have been more from other passengers, as they're turned away. "Oh he even has his zone number on his shirt!" etc.
Feb 6, 2017, 11:52 am
#3233
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: air miles
Posts: 283
While I lack knowledge of the layout of gates and waiting areas. A few retractable bollards can be set up directing the queue out to the sides of the table and maybe along the perimeter wall of the waiting area. Rather than allowing the line to form organically and potentially out into hallways.
Would this not keep the front of the gate desk open allowing for travelers with questions to approach the desk as well as preventing the clogging of hallways, etc.
Or would this be too much work?
Would this not keep the front of the gate desk open allowing for travelers with questions to approach the desk as well as preventing the clogging of hallways, etc.
Or would this be too much work?
Feb 6, 2017, 12:05 pm
#3234
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Hey 24L!
How do they do zoned boarding at NRT and HND for AC flights?
How do they do zoned boarding at NRT and HND for AC flights?
Feb 6, 2017, 7:40 pm
#3235
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC e75K, *G, SPG/MR PPE
Posts: 315
I find boarding flights like AC153 and the other YYZ-YVR widebody flights to be the worst. They usually depart from D39 and D24 which don't have a whole lot of seating space so you end up with gate lice clogging up the whole hallway. When coming from the lounge or another flight trying to push your way to the zone 1/2 lines is incredibly tough.
As as an aside, the IFE is great but there is zero shoulder space on those planes in Y and I definitely felt the knees of the person behind me in my un-reclined seat. I'm used to flying short trips (I'm a segments flyer) and this was a particularly miserable experience. I'll try to book more wisely in the future.
Feb 6, 2017, 8:08 pm
#3236
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
You are making this so much more difficult that it has to be.
The walkway down to the bridge have lots of room. Assign part of the jetway for "Special VIP passengers". Glass walls can be used to create this special area. Anyone who complains about boarding or wants to board before their turn is a "Special VIP passenger, they get their boarding pass scanned immediately and get to enter the "special door" into the "Special VIP area". The special VIP lineup should open 20 minutes prior to regular boarding. This hold area can even have red carpets and plastic roses in pots along the wall. Everyone likes fake plants. An non-functioning cappuccino machine could also be added to keep these guys entertained.
Passengers who board at the correct time use the other door that leads directly down to the aircraft. Once all zones are called. The special automatic doors from the Special VIP area open and these passengers are permitted to go onboard. Perhaps accompanied by classical music to enhance the "customer experience".
Solves the problems. The guys who want to board before their time are given a "reward" for doing so. While at the same time removing congestion around the gate area.
If AC does not want to implement my proposal, perhaps they just give up on the entire system and let people board when they want to.
The walkway down to the bridge have lots of room. Assign part of the jetway for "Special VIP passengers". Glass walls can be used to create this special area. Anyone who complains about boarding or wants to board before their turn is a "Special VIP passenger, they get their boarding pass scanned immediately and get to enter the "special door" into the "Special VIP area". The special VIP lineup should open 20 minutes prior to regular boarding. This hold area can even have red carpets and plastic roses in pots along the wall. Everyone likes fake plants. An non-functioning cappuccino machine could also be added to keep these guys entertained.
Passengers who board at the correct time use the other door that leads directly down to the aircraft. Once all zones are called. The special automatic doors from the Special VIP area open and these passengers are permitted to go onboard. Perhaps accompanied by classical music to enhance the "customer experience".
Solves the problems. The guys who want to board before their time are given a "reward" for doing so. While at the same time removing congestion around the gate area.
If AC does not want to implement my proposal, perhaps they just give up on the entire system and let people board when they want to.
Feb 22, 2017, 2:01 pm
#3237
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,354
I just got an email from AA.
"Starting March 1, we’re simplifying the boarding process and introducing new boarding group names — numbers 1 through 9. The boarding order will not change, just the group names."
It's been discussed on FT for a while: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ch-2017-a.html
Essentially, AA has 5 priority boarding groups, 3 economy groups, and 1 basic economy group.
Their process isn't changing, just the numbers.
But it got me thinking:
Should credit cards get the same priority as PY and *G?
Should preferred seats get the same priority as "regular" zone 3, or should they be ahead?
etc.
"Starting March 1, we’re simplifying the boarding process and introducing new boarding group names — numbers 1 through 9. The boarding order will not change, just the group names."
It's been discussed on FT for a while: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ch-2017-a.html
Essentially, AA has 5 priority boarding groups, 3 economy groups, and 1 basic economy group.
Their process isn't changing, just the numbers.
But it got me thinking:
Should credit cards get the same priority as PY and *G?
Should preferred seats get the same priority as "regular" zone 3, or should they be ahead?
etc.
Feb 22, 2017, 2:18 pm
#3238
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
I just got an email from AA.
"Starting March 1, we’re simplifying the boarding process and introducing new boarding group names — numbers 1 through 9. The boarding order will not change, just the group names."
It's been discussed on FT for a while: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ch-2017-a.html
Essentially, AA has 5 priority boarding groups, 3 economy groups, and 1 basic economy group.
Their process isn't changing, just the numbers.
But it got me thinking:
Should credit cards get the same priority as PY and *G?
Should preferred seats get the same priority as "regular" zone 3, or should they be ahead?
etc.
"Starting March 1, we’re simplifying the boarding process and introducing new boarding group names — numbers 1 through 9. The boarding order will not change, just the group names."
It's been discussed on FT for a while: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ch-2017-a.html
Essentially, AA has 5 priority boarding groups, 3 economy groups, and 1 basic economy group.
Their process isn't changing, just the numbers.
But it got me thinking:
Should credit cards get the same priority as PY and *G?
Should preferred seats get the same priority as "regular" zone 3, or should they be ahead?
etc.
Feb 22, 2017, 2:24 pm
#3239
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
Feb 22, 2017, 2:29 pm
#3240
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
As for preferred seats boarding with zone 3, this should be ok with respect to bin space, as most of the preferred seats are at the front while regular zone 3 passengers sit at the back. However zone 3 is not a priority zone which means if they miss the call for zone 3 they need to line up at the back.