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
#331
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA and UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Silver, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 1,351
BA IAH Group Boarding
IAH is now on-board, as it were, with group boarding. Executed very well, with a call in the F and J lounges which saw everyone proceed to their relevant queue. People were sent back who were not entitled to board and they were very clear about how this was a new system and that each person needed to look on their boarding card for their correct group. However- everyone needed paper boarding cards (as the app was not updated to include group numbers).
#332
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold/ All the AMEX Plat things
Posts: 195
No group boarding at HEL GATE 50E for flight BA0799 tonight. I was sitting at the gate when boarding was announced. As there was a big line already at the gate, when gold, silvers...blah blah was announced. I just got up and went straight to the front. From the mobile boarding passes I could see, just a long line of silvers and J’s!
#333
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,091
EDI, they had 2 lanes at Gate 11 for 1/2/3 and 4/5 and these were roped off at the entrance, which allowed them to call Group 1 only with no issues, although did cause a bit of milling about.
LHR, they had 3 lanes at Gate A8 for 1, 2/3 and 4/5 (actually same gate/day as Telecasterman photo earlier in thread) and they were actively calling for people to queue into the lanes.
Now, on one hand I can see there is sense behind this. Where you have a dedicated Group 1 lane, you can ask them to queue (and precheck to enforce) with the knowledge that when they call Group 1, there won't be a bunch of people stuck behind Group 2 and 3 pax. Further to this, they were asking groups 2 and 3 to join their queue, but only group 4 (not 5) to join their queue. I don't know if they have access to relevant numbers at the gate which would indicate why 2 and 3 were being merged but 4/5 not.
On the other hand, I can see a bit of passenger confusion (and maybe frustration) at the inconsistency. E.g. a silver automatically joins a Group 1/2/3 lane because last time they were told to queue in the relevant lane, and ends up blocking Group 1 boarders?
Overall though I think it is working well at this very early stage and it's a culture change too. I have 8 BA flights next week so I'll add my tuppence worth here once they're all done.
#335
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold/ All the AMEX Plat things
Posts: 195
No group boarding at HEL GATE 50E for flight BA0799 tonight. I was sitting at the gate when boarding was announced. As there was a big line already at the gate, when gold, silvers...blah blah was announced. I just got up and went straight to the front. From the mobile boarding passes I could see, just a long line of silvers and J’s!
#336
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: MUC
Programs: BA Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 29
Experience from BA 961 MUC-LHR yesterday night: first time I've noticed "an attempt" at group boarding in Munich (I usually go there once a week). No lanes or any equipment to close off / open areas by the gate B 03), likely due to space constraints. Boarding was delayed due to snow so quite a large crowd was waiting in front and near the gate already. Announcement of group boarding by gate staff, quite a lot of people rushed forward when Group 1 was called. Grouping was enforced partially, i.e. they briefly looked at every 5th-10th persons BP. It felt like an unusually high number of Group 1 passengers just from glancing at boarding passes and the fact that there were 5/6 rows of CE on the plane but nevertheless it is good to see that they're trying to implement it in MUC as well...in previous weeks it simply was the old style CE/Gold/Silver/Bronze first and then everyone else
#337
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London WC1
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 437
Yes group number currently only reflect the individual's status and cabin with no reference to others on the same PNR. This will change at some point in the next few months. They will be able to board with you though, and the advice given by BA on travel support site states:
https://www.speedbirdclub.com/mediaL...-27Nov2017.pdf
https://www.speedbirdclub.com/mediaL...-27Nov2017.pdf
LHR -> LUX BA0416, call for CE/Gold/Emerald/Silver/Sapphire/Bronze/Ruby, which unsurprisingly was at least half of those waiting at the gate, then everyone else.
LUX -> LHR BA0419, two lines one for 1/2/3 and one for 4/5. 1/2/3 clearly called and boarding passes were carefully checked. Wrong 'uns were made to join the 4/5 queue, including my two colleagues who were 4. I said I understood that as we were all on the same booking they could board using my 2 and she said yes in theory but not at LUX yet because the computer boarding system couldn't handle it. Didn't really understand but didn't push it.
#340
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, Strathaven
Programs: BA (Gold). Various other statuses
Posts: 1,466
LGW-GLA. The set up is rather strange. ‘Priority’ is to get into the holding pen. Shortly before boarding a gate agent opened the doors and announced to those that could hear that there was a new system for boarding. She then walked away. This was followed by announcement that groups 1,2 and 3 could board. No~one checked BPs. Fortunately I was near the gate but I have no idea whether there was any control over the boarding. Looks like a fail.
#341
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 158
I’ve had a few experiences of the new system since it went live. LHR have been consistently good at only calling Group 1 first and policing it. All T5 if that makes a difference although I have a long haul T3 departure tomorrow which I can report back on.
Outstations more hit and miss. GLA appear to be calling 1,2 and 3 together (normally half the plane) so no real benefit of being in Group 1.
AMS was very good and only called G1 which they policed well.
Outstations more hit and miss. GLA appear to be calling 1,2 and 3 together (normally half the plane) so no real benefit of being in Group 1.
AMS was very good and only called G1 which they policed well.
#342
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,236
Strangely, all my QR issued boarding passes for BA flights appear to have "Group 1" handwritten on them...
#343
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: 5,900
CPH last night. There's a 2-stage boarding process much like many gates at LGW; the first process is two lines where the BPs are checked, with the "old" style priority line and standard line, which then brings you into a boarding area with seating etc.
Then there's a set of tensabarriers with 2 lines - Group 1,2,3 and Group 4,5 - limited to 2 lines due to space constraints.
The boarding order was announced early and then we were called in order by Group - but there was no check at this stage as to individual Group eligibility. I'd give them an 8/10
Then there's a set of tensabarriers with 2 lines - Group 1,2,3 and Group 4,5 - limited to 2 lines due to space constraints.
The boarding order was announced early and then we were called in order by Group - but there was no check at this stage as to individual Group eligibility. I'd give them an 8/10
#344
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,591
If I had an airline ....
All boarding signs would be computer monitors and there would be two lanes, both showing a red cross until boarding commenced. They'd go:
X, X
Group 1, X
Group 1, Group 2
Groups 1&2, Group 3
Groups 1-3, Group 4
Groups 1-4, Group 5
Closed, Closed
And I'd hand out kettle crisps to people as they boarded, before asking for a government bailout then going bankrupt. But it'd be fun.
All boarding signs would be computer monitors and there would be two lanes, both showing a red cross until boarding commenced. They'd go:
X, X
Group 1, X
Group 1, Group 2
Groups 1&2, Group 3
Groups 1-3, Group 4
Groups 1-4, Group 5
Closed, Closed
And I'd hand out kettle crisps to people as they boarded, before asking for a government bailout then going bankrupt. But it'd be fun.
#345
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,099