Jan 9, 2018, 5:46 am
Last edit by: Genius1
Please use this thread to document experiences of the new Group Boarding process in airports. I think it's well known how the previous boarding system works, so just the new process please, so that other travellers can gauge its effectiveness.
For discussion, conjecture and speculation about the scheme, please use this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1878043-boarding-group-introduced-general-discussion.html
For discussion, conjecture and speculation about the scheme, please use this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1878043-boarding-group-introduced-general-discussion.html
Group Boarding 2018 - first hand experiences
Jan 17, 2018, 5:11 am
#106
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Jan 17, 2018, 5:46 am
#107
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John
Jan 18, 2018, 1:21 am
#109
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From my Dad:
LHR-NCE yesterday, and Group Boarding was enforced with six people turned away from Group 1 boarding.
I don't know what groups they were sent to, but one of them had a long chat with the cabin crew upon boarding.
M
LHR-NCE yesterday, and Group Boarding was enforced with six people turned away from Group 1 boarding.
I don't know what groups they were sent to, but one of them had a long chat with the cabin crew upon boarding.
M
Jan 18, 2018, 1:49 am
#110
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Jan 18, 2018, 2:20 am
#111
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold, SAS EB Gold
Posts: 9
Positive Experience
Just had my first experience of the new system boarding at T5A, and shockingly it worked very well. Process was clearly explained and then properly enforced. Only complaint was total lack of DYKWIA entertainment
Despite boarding through a small A gate they had found space for a third line, so there were separate lines for group 1, groups 2-3, and groups 4-5. This circumvents a key problem with the ‘old’ system, which was that no-one knew who in the priority queue was club/gold/silver/bronze. Thus people either rudely barged past people they should have stayed behind, or over-politely stayed behind people they could have legitimately overtaken. Now however you know that you cannot overtake people in your queue (if you’re in group 1, which is most DYKWIA-prone)
None of this however solved the problem of half of the flight being group 1...
Despite boarding through a small A gate they had found space for a third line, so there were separate lines for group 1, groups 2-3, and groups 4-5. This circumvents a key problem with the ‘old’ system, which was that no-one knew who in the priority queue was club/gold/silver/bronze. Thus people either rudely barged past people they should have stayed behind, or over-politely stayed behind people they could have legitimately overtaken. Now however you know that you cannot overtake people in your queue (if you’re in group 1, which is most DYKWIA-prone)
None of this however solved the problem of half of the flight being group 1...
Jan 18, 2018, 2:37 am
#112
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: UK
Programs: AVIS presidents club, BA GGL, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 278
BA1479 18/01/18 GLA-LHR.
Arriving at the gate, there were some people already occupying the priority queue which had Group 1,2&3 on a card at the front of the queue. Clearly many of the people in the queue were not all Group 1 or 2 for that matter. I had a feeling they were going to announce all three groups together but in fact they called forward group 1 only. This of course meant there were many who were not eligible to board but standing in the way. They did move aside though and allowed those in group 1 through. To me it would have made far more sense to have either different lanes or if that is not possible then cordon off the priority queue and actively manage the order of people who are entering the queue (something they did last week), but not this week.
Arriving at the gate, there were some people already occupying the priority queue which had Group 1,2&3 on a card at the front of the queue. Clearly many of the people in the queue were not all Group 1 or 2 for that matter. I had a feeling they were going to announce all three groups together but in fact they called forward group 1 only. This of course meant there were many who were not eligible to board but standing in the way. They did move aside though and allowed those in group 1 through. To me it would have made far more sense to have either different lanes or if that is not possible then cordon off the priority queue and actively manage the order of people who are entering the queue (something they did last week), but not this week.
Jan 18, 2018, 2:43 am
#113
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: UK
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This circumvents a key problem with the ‘old’ system, which was that no-one knew who in the priority queue was club/gold/silver/bronze. Thus people either rudely barged past people they should have stayed behind, or over-politely stayed behind people they could have legitimately overtaken.
Jan 18, 2018, 2:59 am
#114
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London
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LHR-ARN in Y. Me (Gold) Group 1 and partner (Bronze) on same ticket Group 3.
As it happens we didnT get to the gate until they were calling group 4 and we both went through the Group 2/3 line but I seriously would have expected the same group for both in this scenario.
As it happens we didnT get to the gate until they were calling group 4 and we both went through the Group 2/3 line but I seriously would have expected the same group for both in this scenario.
Jan 18, 2018, 4:02 am
#115
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Jan 18, 2018, 4:22 am
#116
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Got group 1 for my MAN-LHR and LHR-GOT flights but nothing for GOT-LHR. They usually just do the two calls anyway as far as I'm aware.
US flight out if 5C on Friday so that will be the usual free for all.
US flight out if 5C on Friday so that will be the usual free for all.
Jan 18, 2018, 4:27 am
#117
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: BA
Posts: 346
BA1477 GLA to LHR was excellent this morning. It was at gate 23, so one side of the gate was for Group 1 (perhaps 2 too, I'm not sure) and the other side was for 3/4/5. Group 1 was called and it seemed to be enforced quite well.
I'm glad people are getting used to the new process, I didn't see a single person queueing early!
I'm glad people are getting used to the new process, I didn't see a single person queueing early!
Jan 18, 2018, 7:28 am
#118
Join Date: Apr 2015
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LHR-BWI yesterday - ready for me to try out my Group 1.... went really smoothly and went straight through - not least because when I got to the gate there was not a passenger in sight!
Okay, admittedly the screens said 'flight closed'. Left the F'lounge 45 mins before the departure time (just as the screen changed to 'board now') and 10 mins to B48. Boarding pass said 'Board at 14:15' for a 15:15 flight - an hour to board a flight at a gate? really?
Okay, admittedly the screens said 'flight closed'. Left the F'lounge 45 mins before the departure time (just as the screen changed to 'board now') and 10 mins to B48. Boarding pass said 'Board at 14:15' for a 15:15 flight - an hour to board a flight at a gate? really?
Last edited by CKBA; Jan 19, 2018 at 5:10 am
Jan 18, 2018, 1:25 pm
#119
Join Date: Jul 2009
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MAN-LHR. 2 groups, 1 and 2, 3-5. Call that priority was boarding made in the lounge and only a few people in front of me when I went down.
Went fairly well although at gate 141 so tight and having to work around people, then do the scan / photo check and then scan your BP again.
Arrived early though to the 567 bus gate.
Went fairly well although at gate 141 so tight and having to work around people, then do the scan / photo check and then scan your BP again.
Arrived early though to the 567 bus gate.
Jan 18, 2018, 1:41 pm
#120
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No group boarding at FRA this morning for the flight to LCY
Took the LHR-LBA flight this evening. Group number showed on boarding pass. I reached the gate when boarding was underway so just went through the Group 1 lane and used the e-gates. Not sure if any pax were sent away or so....but really pleased with the boarding process today!
Took the LHR-LBA flight this evening. Group number showed on boarding pass. I reached the gate when boarding was underway so just went through the Group 1 lane and used the e-gates. Not sure if any pax were sent away or so....but really pleased with the boarding process today!