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
Feb 6, 2018, 7:46 am
#302
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Feb 6, 2018, 8:50 am
#303
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 34
BA398 LHR-BRU 06/02
Gate C56
Separate lines for all 5 groups, but not obvious to people which side of the numbered barrier they should stand on unless they counted the lanes from Group 1. Consequently the masses all joined a long line for Group 4 and no passengers in Group 5 apparently. Announcements to remain seated until your Group number was called were ignored by the later groups who persisted with hovering around the barriers as though only the first half of them would be allowed onto the plane. Boarding by each group strictly enforced. Was in group 2 so didn't stick around to see what happened when they reached the horde in 4. Flight wasn't full so plenty of space for everyone onboard.
Gate C56
Separate lines for all 5 groups, but not obvious to people which side of the numbered barrier they should stand on unless they counted the lanes from Group 1. Consequently the masses all joined a long line for Group 4 and no passengers in Group 5 apparently. Announcements to remain seated until your Group number was called were ignored by the later groups who persisted with hovering around the barriers as though only the first half of them would be allowed onto the plane. Boarding by each group strictly enforced. Was in group 2 so didn't stick around to see what happened when they reached the horde in 4. Flight wasn't full so plenty of space for everyone onboard.
Feb 6, 2018, 9:01 am
#304
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,895
Do we have any clarity on the designation of Group 4 and Group 5 on shorthaul? I had a friend over the weekend on an ET Avios redemption (Blue member) as a Group 4. Would Group 5 need to be a non-BAEC member, or a Group ticket or something along those lines?
Feb 6, 2018, 9:09 am
#305
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
I think it's non status HBO (Basic) fares. It may be non status lower fare buckets (which in way would be fairer) but either way there could be perverse outcomes
Feb 6, 2018, 9:23 am
#306
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Think of it as a “pour encourager les autres” type of sanction
Feb 6, 2018, 9:40 am
#307
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
Feb 6, 2018, 9:49 am
#308
Join Date: May 2003
Location: TLL
Programs: OZ Diamond, BA Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador, HH Gold
Posts: 4,412
I know it's completely a first world problem, but this irks me to no end. You're giving priority over your most loyal passengers (or those who have paid for a CE ticket) to people who likely are on HBO fares in order to get them to check their bags. It always seems to delay boarding and pushback
Feb 6, 2018, 10:41 am
#309
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,609
I know it's completely a first world problem, but this irks me to no end. You're giving priority over your most loyal passengers (or those who have paid for a CE ticket) to people who likely are on HBO fares in order to get them to check their bags. It always seems to delay boarding and pushback
Feb 6, 2018, 10:42 am
#310
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,529
I know it's completely a first world problem, but this irks me to no end. You're giving priority over your most loyal passengers (or those who have paid for a CE ticket) to people who likely are on HBO fares in order to get them to check their bags. It always seems to delay boarding and pushback
Edit - beaten to it by a few seconds (bit like the hand luggage and locker space problem
)
Feb 6, 2018, 1:01 pm
#313
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Around somewhere
Programs: Gold, Some red card and some hotel cards.
Posts: 709
Feb 6, 2018, 3:51 pm
#314
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
Heathrow, T5 on Sunday.
BA1468 to Inverness.
A very lightly loaded flight (30 pax?) and a reminder to pax to check their group number and listen for their group to be called.
All very dignified.
Heathrow Gate A2
BA1468 to Inverness.
A very lightly loaded flight (30 pax?) and a reminder to pax to check their group number and listen for their group to be called.
All very dignified.
Heathrow Gate A2
Feb 6, 2018, 5:28 pm
#315
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,148
The group boarding starts today at MIA. (added to the Wiki)
The nice lady at the BA check in desk pro-actively offered this information without me asking anything. She was clear about how it worked however as I am travelling with a Bronze (same PNR) and they are group 3 the check in agent said he will have to go to his own line in GP 3 as he can't come on with me. I believe this is wrong given post #300 .
I'll report back in the morning how it went.
Despite me trying to give her back a yellow bag tag back for my only luggage on board, a rucksack, she insisted I have to have it on my bag as it's cabin baggage, even though I am in exit row which she failed to understand. To keep the peace I attached it and later removed it as I can't obviously put it under the seat in front of me!
As I'm relatively unfamiliar with MIA I also asked her for directions to the AA Flagship Lounge in Concourse D and she insisted I can't use that lounge and must use the Premium Lounge in E, but D and E are connected. I am now in the Flagship lounge at D30, 2nd visit here in the last few days and as I type is just a 3-4 minute walk from E security and accessible.
No queue at all in MIA at security (E), friendly TSA agents, and the fast track sign was there with Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby info, was closed as there was literally no one there although I suspect it may be open now given I was at MIA 3.5 hours before my flight back to Heathrow.
The nice lady at the BA check in desk pro-actively offered this information without me asking anything. She was clear about how it worked however as I am travelling with a Bronze (same PNR) and they are group 3 the check in agent said he will have to go to his own line in GP 3 as he can't come on with me. I believe this is wrong given post #300 .
I'll report back in the morning how it went.
Despite me trying to give her back a yellow bag tag back for my only luggage on board, a rucksack, she insisted I have to have it on my bag as it's cabin baggage, even though I am in exit row which she failed to understand. To keep the peace I attached it and later removed it as I can't obviously put it under the seat in front of me!
As I'm relatively unfamiliar with MIA I also asked her for directions to the AA Flagship Lounge in Concourse D and she insisted I can't use that lounge and must use the Premium Lounge in E, but D and E are connected. I am now in the Flagship lounge at D30, 2nd visit here in the last few days and as I type is just a 3-4 minute walk from E security and accessible.
No queue at all in MIA at security (E), friendly TSA agents, and the fast track sign was there with Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby info, was closed as there was literally no one there although I suspect it may be open now given I was at MIA 3.5 hours before my flight back to Heathrow.