Jan 9, 2018, 5:44 am
Last edit by: KARFA
Please use this thread for discussion, conjecture and speculation about the Group Boarding Process.
Experiences of the actual process in airports should be made in the dedicated thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...periences.html
Group Boarding Summary (courtesy chris1979)
NB. Customers with additional needs will be offered pre-boarding ahead of all the groups listed above.
Boarding priority for Executive Club Gold, Silver or Bronze Members or oneworld equivalents, will automatically be reflected in the group number given on their boarding pass. If they arrive after their group has been called, they can use the priority boarding lane to go through before the flight closes.
Please note that priority boarding will not be reflected for any other people travelling with an Executive Club Member on the same booking at the moment, but will be introduced in the coming months. In the meantime, the whole party can use the priority boarding lane and our staff will endeavour to board everyone together.
Pre-boarding
Families with small children
We invite families with infants under two and young children in pushchairs to board first, so that the whole family can settle in. Customers must arrive by the time specified on their boarding pass so that they are ready to board and we have enough time
to load their pushchair into the hold.
Customers requiring disability or mobility assistance
We will assist customers on to the aircraft ahead of other passengers so that they have time to settle in and get comfortable. Please contact us at least 48 hours before their flight so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
Experiences of the actual process in airports should be made in the dedicated thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...periences.html
Group Boarding Summary (courtesy chris1979)
NB. Customers with additional needs will be offered pre-boarding ahead of all the groups listed above.
Boarding priority for Executive Club Gold, Silver or Bronze Members or oneworld equivalents, will automatically be reflected in the group number given on their boarding pass. If they arrive after their group has been called, they can use the priority boarding lane to go through before the flight closes.
Please note that priority boarding will not be reflected for any other people travelling with an Executive Club Member on the same booking at the moment, but will be introduced in the coming months. In the meantime, the whole party can use the priority boarding lane and our staff will endeavour to board everyone together.
Pre-boarding
Families with small children
We invite families with infants under two and young children in pushchairs to board first, so that the whole family can settle in. Customers must arrive by the time specified on their boarding pass so that they are ready to board and we have enough time
to load their pushchair into the hold.
Customers requiring disability or mobility assistance
We will assist customers on to the aircraft ahead of other passengers so that they have time to settle in and get comfortable. Please contact us at least 48 hours before their flight so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
Boarding by group to be introduced [general discussion]
Nov 20, 2017, 10:30 am
#256
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, *A Gold, Hertz President's Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 529
I also long for the old days where I could deliberately be last on the plane, enjoying the lounge as long as possible - but that was when there were far fewer carry ons on board.
It’d be nice if they offered Premium Hand Baggage like Qantas - where they collect your roll on at the door of the plane and return it to you at the door at the other end. I wouldn’t mind that, but I’d never allow it to go in the hold and pick up from the carousel.
It’d be nice if they offered Premium Hand Baggage like Qantas - where they collect your roll on at the door of the plane and return it to you at the door at the other end. I wouldn’t mind that, but I’d never allow it to go in the hold and pick up from the carousel.
Nov 20, 2017, 10:30 am
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
I have never understood this obsession with wanting to board first. Surely it is a perk to board at the end without all the fuss chaos that is invariably at the gate at the start of the process.
I like to be last on and first off ideally. Load by row, blocks of 10 starting at the back.
I like to be last on and first off ideally. Load by row, blocks of 10 starting at the back.
Fortunately our carry-ons go under the seat in front, so we let the rest fight for it ... watching with amusement!
Nov 20, 2017, 10:32 am
#258
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 814
This system is going to require either a visual BP check (is the person trying to board in or out of order) or an electronic coupling of the new boarding groups to those groups which are being called (with some kind of beep turning usurpers of the new system back to the Walk of Shame).
I'm not even sure the latter is possible.
As a datapoint, it certainly isn't on LH at TXL, MUC, FRA, DUS where they call for First, Business, HON, SEN and *G to go through the manual pre-boarding gate but actually the aforementioned status is not controlled. Anybody can go through, because all that the gates monitor is name and sequence number indicated on the BP.
I'm not even sure the latter is possible.
As a datapoint, it certainly isn't on LH at TXL, MUC, FRA, DUS where they call for First, Business, HON, SEN and *G to go through the manual pre-boarding gate but actually the aforementioned status is not controlled. Anybody can go through, because all that the gates monitor is name and sequence number indicated on the BP.
Nov 20, 2017, 10:33 am
#259
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 220
MAN is one of the best stations for turning the aircraft around and boarding procedures are enforced. Only gate 141 poses difficulties, but that's due to an Airport/gate layout issue, not the airlines/handling agents fault. Perhaps you could elaborate as to what you found diabolical ?
Nov 20, 2017, 10:35 am
#260
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, *A Gold, Hertz President's Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 529
MAN is one of the best stations for turning the aircraft around and boarding procedures are enforced. Only gate 141 poses difficulties, but that's due to an Airport/gate layout issue, not the airlines/handling agents fault. Perhaps you could elaborate as to what you found diabolical ?
Nov 20, 2017, 10:38 am
#261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Nov 20, 2017, 10:45 am
#262
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 220
Firstly, status passengers are always called before everyone else, they are never all called at once. Also, perhaps, as I'm sure you've noticed, there isn't the physical room to have multiple lines for every class of status category. Secondly, behind the scenes, On time performance is the biggest factor as far as BA is concerned. Boarding HAS to be completed as quick as possible. The Domestic outstations typically are given 5mins less than LHR and 10mins less than European stations to complete the turn-around. Lengthy boarding status based processes will only slow the process further.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:04 am
#263
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, *A Gold, Hertz President's Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 529
Firstly, status passengers are always called before everyone else, they are never all called at once. Also, perhaps, as I'm sure you've noticed, there isn't the physical room to have multiple lines for every class of status category. Secondly, behind the scenes, On time performance is the biggest factor as far as BA is concerned. Boarding HAS to be completed as quick as possible. The Domestic outstations typically are given 5mins less than LHR and 10mins less than European stations to complete the turn-around. Lengthy boarding status based processes will only slow the process further.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:06 am
#264
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Seeing as BA staff are unable and/or unwilling to enforce current boarding rules, why would anyone expect this to be any different? And doesn't the whole idea of introducing a new system that will affect every departure to every destination run somewhat contrary to BA's current race to the bottom in terms of service standards?
To my mind, there is nothing wrong with the current system which was clearly intended to make boarding faster and more comfortable for everyone. The fact that it seems to be rarely, if ever, enforced means pretty much every flight has a 30-minute line of stationary passengers queuing along the aisle of each plane, because people are trying to get to the back of the plane whilst others are seated near the front and are blocking the aisle whilst stowing their luggage.
I really don't see the point in creating endless boarding groups to recognise every status and cabin combination. Is it really necessary to have more than the following simple categorisation:
Premium cabin passengers can board at their leisure
1. Special assistance/families
2. Gold/Emerald status only
3. Everyone else, ideally in blocks of 10 rows each
The current system isn't broken, it's simply not being followed. Why try to replace instead of fixing? It just requires 2 staff members to say 'no' to a bunch of self-important chancers.
To my mind, there is nothing wrong with the current system which was clearly intended to make boarding faster and more comfortable for everyone. The fact that it seems to be rarely, if ever, enforced means pretty much every flight has a 30-minute line of stationary passengers queuing along the aisle of each plane, because people are trying to get to the back of the plane whilst others are seated near the front and are blocking the aisle whilst stowing their luggage.
I really don't see the point in creating endless boarding groups to recognise every status and cabin combination. Is it really necessary to have more than the following simple categorisation:
Premium cabin passengers can board at their leisure
1. Special assistance/families
2. Gold/Emerald status only
3. Everyone else, ideally in blocks of 10 rows each
The current system isn't broken, it's simply not being followed. Why try to replace instead of fixing? It just requires 2 staff members to say 'no' to a bunch of self-important chancers.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:16 am
#265
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 38
Summarising the past 17 pages is a pretty simple task, but there is one recurring theme - enforcement.
Collectively, the BA Forum seems to be happy with the proposed changes to the Boarding Procedure, but there also seems to be agreement that the only way it will work, is if it is enforced properly by the gate-staff.
A lot of the concern, seems to come from the fact that the current system, which is actually not too dissimilar to the new, is rarely enforced.
I would hope, that having gone to the hassle of amending the designs of the BA App and physical printed boarding passes, that the gate staff will be warned to actually use the new Grouping system, but I wonder whether there is any insight into the Staff Training element of the boarding process?
Will all relevant BA gate staff be re-trained to ensure the Grouping process is adhered to?
M
Collectively, the BA Forum seems to be happy with the proposed changes to the Boarding Procedure, but there also seems to be agreement that the only way it will work, is if it is enforced properly by the gate-staff.
A lot of the concern, seems to come from the fact that the current system, which is actually not too dissimilar to the new, is rarely enforced.
I would hope, that having gone to the hassle of amending the designs of the BA App and physical printed boarding passes, that the gate staff will be warned to actually use the new Grouping system, but I wonder whether there is any insight into the Staff Training element of the boarding process?
Will all relevant BA gate staff be re-trained to ensure the Grouping process is adhered to?
M
Many thanks for all your feedback, and I am pleased to hear that the general consensus is that it is worth a try and it should be an improvement
. The media have been all over it, saying the cheap tickets board last, but actually HBO fares can be expensive ! I will pass on all the comments about enforcement and agree this will be the key to it's success. Having said that, because of the simplicity of the announcements, and the customers being now told to remain seated (BA have never done this in the past) I am hopeful.I can also just want to clarify for everyone that those in the same PNR, or in a separate PNR who do not have any status, will be allowed to board with the card holder - but no large groups please! We hope for a fix for this in 2018.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:34 am
#266
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
I bet you have had a busy day in the office today cayman4522! Thanks for keeping us updated, it is certainly refreshing to feel that feedback is being taken into account here. This has doubtless happened before, perhaps in less overt ways, but it's great to see this dialogue played out here.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:38 am
#267
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,770
Even if they do manage a gap between announcements, it's usually only a few seconds and not enough time to react or push through the hoards in front.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:40 am
#268
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Good evening all
Many thanks for all your feedback, and I am pleased to hear that the general consensus is that it is worth a try and it should be an improvement . The media have been all over it, saying the cheap tickets board last, but actually HBO fares can be expensive ! I will pass on all the comments about enforcement and agree this will be the key to it's success. Having said that, because of the simplicity of the announcements, and the customers being now told to remain seated (BA have never done this in the past) I am hopeful.
I can also just want to clarify for everyone that those in the same PNR, or in a separate PNR who do not have any status, will be allowed to board with the card holder - but no large groups please! We hope for a fix for this in 2018.
Many thanks for all your feedback, and I am pleased to hear that the general consensus is that it is worth a try and it should be an improvement
. The media have been all over it, saying the cheap tickets board last, but actually HBO fares can be expensive ! I will pass on all the comments about enforcement and agree this will be the key to it's success. Having said that, because of the simplicity of the announcements, and the customers being now told to remain seated (BA have never done this in the past) I am hopeful.I can also just want to clarify for everyone that those in the same PNR, or in a separate PNR who do not have any status, will be allowed to board with the card holder - but no large groups please! We hope for a fix for this in 2018.
In other words what will happen when the inevitable situation arises where HBO passengers board to find the overhead lockers already full? The reality here is far too much baggage is being taken into the aircraft relative to the space available.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:52 am
#269
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,770
As a matter of interest - what steps are being taken to deal with volumes of hand baggage generally?
In other words what will happen when the inevitable situation arises where HBO passengers board to find the overhead lockers already full? The reality here is far too much baggage is being taken into the aircraft relative to the space available.
In other words what will happen when the inevitable situation arises where HBO passengers board to find the overhead lockers already full? The reality here is far too much baggage is being taken into the aircraft relative to the space available.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:54 am
#270
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,639
Seemed to to work well in the end without any drama on board.
However invite the question of whether those checking hand luggage will continue to be offered priority boarding in the new system?
This was on an A319 which already has some of the most dense seating. Cabin densification will make this harder to manage. Can’t help thinking that BA must be thinking about whether HBO fares are really worth all the hassle for the extra revenue.