Nov 15, 2014, 2:15 pm
Air Canada introduces zoned boarding
Sep 15, 2017, 7:18 pm
#3451
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AC
Posts: 2,167
I've flown on Delta a few times and I've first hand seen Delta gate agents say something along the lines of "If you board when you're not supposed to, I'll ensure you board last".
While I am not a fan of a rude agent, a policy like that would be fantastic.
The alternative is for Air Canada to introduce a zone called...You know what, I'll stop while I am ahead before I violate any forum rules here.
While I am not a fan of a rude agent, a policy like that would be fantastic.
The alternative is for Air Canada to introduce a zone called...You know what, I'll stop while I am ahead before I violate any forum rules here.
Sep 15, 2017, 7:27 pm
#3452
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Air Canada made it very clear that Zone boarding was not meant to necessarily expedite or improve the efficiencies in boarding. It was meant to provide a better boarding experience for its J passengers and Super Elites. You will see this in the early posts of this thread.
What zone boarding really help IMO, is Zone 2. Back in the days there was nothing on the BP indicating the pax was on a Latitude fare. I had been turned back multiple times when flying in PY/Latitude because GA said "it's only for business class". I had to bring out my itinerary and point out priority boarding. Nowadays I can simply point out the Zone 2.
Sep 15, 2017, 7:29 pm
#3453
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: 44,353
I'm just going to throw it out there again that I <3 SFO.
"THIS IS ONLY ZONE 1! SUPER ELITES, VIPS, AND BUSINESS CLASS ONLY. EVERYONE ELSE STOP CROWDING THE BOARDING LANE!"
I wanted to hug her.
"THIS IS ONLY ZONE 1! SUPER ELITES, VIPS, AND BUSINESS CLASS ONLY. EVERYONE ELSE STOP CROWDING THE BOARDING LANE!"
I wanted to hug her.
Sep 15, 2017, 7:31 pm
#3454
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
I don't think my experience got any better as a J pax. If AC really enforce that "everyone else remain seated", which AC did from time to time, the gate area would be navigable. Nowadays at YYZ D24 for example, I don't see 5 lines, I see a mass of people. The only way I can board in Zone 1 is when GA asks "any Zone 1?" I yell "me".
What zone boarding really help IMO, is Zone 2. Back in the days there was nothing on the BP indicating the pax was on a Latitude fare. I had been turned back multiple times when flying in PY/Latitude because GA said "it's only for business class". I had to bring out my itinerary and point out priority boarding. Nowadays I can simply point out the Zone 2.
What zone boarding really help IMO, is Zone 2. Back in the days there was nothing on the BP indicating the pax was on a Latitude fare. I had been turned back multiple times when flying in PY/Latitude because GA said "it's only for business class". I had to bring out my itinerary and point out priority boarding. Nowadays I can simply point out the Zone 2.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:30 am
#3455
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AC Altitude SE100K, HH Diamond
Posts: 254
Somewhat related to this...
Is there any policy or generally accepted practice which allows a NON STATUS passenger (e.g. spouse) to priority board with a status passenger?
Thanks
Is there any policy or generally accepted practice which allows a NON STATUS passenger (e.g. spouse) to priority board with a status passenger?
Thanks
Sep 18, 2017, 10:37 am
#3456
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Yes, your spouse is entitled to board with you.
Last edited by YEG_SE4Life; Sep 18, 2017 at 10:42 am
Sep 18, 2017, 10:37 am
#3457
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Air Canada - Aeroplan Black, AC - E50K, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 225
From the Air Canada Altitude Site:
"Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, 50K, 35K or Star Alliance members may invite immediate family members (including spouse, common-law, same sex partner and dependent children) and one travel companion to board with them even if not travelling on the same reservation."
"Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, 50K, 35K or Star Alliance members may invite immediate family members (including spouse, common-law, same sex partner and dependent children) and one travel companion to board with them even if not travelling on the same reservation."
Sep 18, 2017, 10:38 am
#3458
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
I believed the "official" rule is to board with the zone # as indicated on the BP. So, if the non-status PAX is not on the same PNR as the status PAX, they will not get Zone 1 or 2. All PAX on the same PNR get the same Zone #, based on the highest status PAX.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:42 am
#3459
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
If you are a SE with a dozen people who can be sure they'll be a FT post on it and I would personally be on the position that that is unreasonable. Personally.
Last edited by jc94; Sep 18, 2017 at 10:44 am Reason: *Edit - Moved post so editing to just relevant reply.*
Sep 18, 2017, 11:24 am
#3460
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: 44,353
If you OLCI and check the boxes for both passengers, it seems to work. If you check in with an agent, and they do it a certain way, it works. If they do it the other way, it does not.
It doesn't seem to look at everyone on the PNR, only those who are being checked in simultaneously.
Sep 18, 2017, 1:03 pm
#3461
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
That is SUPPOSED to be true, but I had a few EYW flights last year where I was 1 and my companion was 4, and we were on the same PNR.
If you OLCI and check the boxes for both passengers, it seems to work. If you check in with an agent, and they do it a certain way, it works. If they do it the other way, it does not.
It doesn't seem to look at everyone on the PNR, only those who are being checked in simultaneously.
If you OLCI and check the boxes for both passengers, it seems to work. If you check in with an agent, and they do it a certain way, it works. If they do it the other way, it does not.
It doesn't seem to look at everyone on the PNR, only those who are being checked in simultaneously.
Just like Z3 boarding for preferred seating, and people randomly getting Z1 or Z2 without status. Fortunately, for this one as long as one person has Z1 you should be fine to board first.
If the GA so mandates it of course.
Sep 18, 2017, 1:05 pm
#3462
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,582
I always get zone 2 on award travel (because of my TD Visa) but it's hit or miss whether someone traveling with me also gets zone 2 even when they are booked together and OLCI together. However, I always ask if they can tag along and the GAs never seem to care.
Sep 24, 2017, 2:06 pm
#3463
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,353
AC 566 YVR-SFO. Automated announcement for zone 1 and 2.
Then they weren't even ready, so we're all standing around.
Then they weren't even ready, so we're all standing around.
Sep 25, 2017, 9:40 am
#3464
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 42
Flying LAX-YUL-ATH with paid preferred seats on the YUL-ATH leg and OLCI-generated boarding passes correctly show zone 3. We were given that on both segments actually.
Sep 26, 2017, 7:37 pm
#3465
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YEG
Posts: 186
It is my first year with P25k and I wasn't expecting any priority boarding. Oddly enough, I have had zone 2 for every paid economy (never latitude) flight this year. I thought it was an 'unadvertised' perk (if that is possible with AC). I certainly wasn't going to say anything as it is/was to my advantage. I am curious to see if I will now get zone 3.