Is it time to split CE boarding into various groups?
Sep 30, 21, 12:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott PlatfL/Ambassador, TP Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,638
Is it time to split CE boarding into various groups?
Boarding another flight where CE goes all the way to row 14 and is full. There are now 56 pax + any GCHs in Y that are in group 1.
I understand how the no-status, once -n-a-year flying Hyacinth would be dismayed at flying CE and not being in group 1, but is this really the best option?
Of course this is all an academic discussion, as a) I doubt that BA would change this and b) ground staff loves to call groups 1/2/3 altogether anyway, even at LHR on LH...
EDIT: I noticed now there's already a thread on a similar topic.
I understand how the no-status, once -n-a-year flying Hyacinth would be dismayed at flying CE and not being in group 1, but is this really the best option?
Of course this is all an academic discussion, as a) I doubt that BA would change this and b) ground staff loves to call groups 1/2/3 altogether anyway, even at LHR on LH...
EDIT: I noticed now there's already a thread on a similar topic.
Sep 30, 21, 12:51 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 11,850
So how do you rank who when the Mrs Hyacinth is on her second or third paid cash CE leisure flight, and Mr Goldcard holder is on his second year of free extended status (through his employment) and hasn’t flown at all in the last 18 months…?
Last edited by mikeyfly; Sep 30, 21 at 1:25 pm
Sep 30, 21, 12:53 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin
Posts: 3,056
I imagine it would cause chaos. You can just imagine if Group "1A" is Rows 1 - 5 and there's some GGLFL in Row 6 in Group "1B" who can't board first. That ain't gonna end well! 
Although it would make the DWKWIA thread more interesting!
Although it would make the DWKWIA thread more interesting!
Sep 30, 21, 1:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London / Amsterdam
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, BA Silver
Posts: 406
I agree. Some flights have excessive numbers of CE. Last few flights have been insane.
Group 1: OWE + first 6 rows of CE
Group 2: OWS + remaining rows of CE (if there are any)
There haven’t been too many people in group 2 and group 3, but the effect of loads of group 1 means that people who don’t understand English/local language or aren’t familiar crowd the boarding area. Given there aren’t separate queues, it becomes carnage.
Group 1: OWE + first 6 rows of CE
Group 2: OWS + remaining rows of CE (if there are any)
There haven’t been too many people in group 2 and group 3, but the effect of loads of group 1 means that people who don’t understand English/local language or aren’t familiar crowd the boarding area. Given there aren’t separate queues, it becomes carnage.
Sep 30, 21, 2:24 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott PlatfL/Ambassador, TP Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,638
Sep 30, 21, 3:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: On the underground
Programs: BMI Dimond club, BA Executive Club
Posts: 457
Got my gold just before lockdown but I upgraded during Covid and now have a push to the front item.
My wife had a baby and they let you on first
Not sure which is cheaper to make sure you can get on first.
My wife had a baby and they let you on first
Not sure which is cheaper to make sure you can get on first.
Sep 30, 21, 3:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tenerife
Programs: BA Gold, BA AMEX PP, Amex Platinum
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Sep 30, 21, 3:21 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Sep 30, 21, 3:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 46
I'd quite like the groups to stay the same across Longhaul and Shorthaul:
- Group 1: First & GCHs (and above)
- Groups 2 & 3: Club (World or Europe) & Silvers (lets face it, there are really big club cabins on both long haul and short haul, splitting club across two groups could make boarding more orderly)
- Group 4: WTP & Bronze
- Groups 5-9 Traveller (World or Euro)
Sep 30, 21, 6:18 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: British Airways GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond & Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,561
Whats the point when families and older people get to board before group 1 is even called, often thats 20/25% of the plane
Then group 1-3 is called, which is another 40% of the plane
Thats before chances and jumpers who they dont send back
Simply put, BA don't enforce the rules, so there is no point changing them until they do
Then group 1-3 is called, which is another 40% of the plane
Thats before chances and jumpers who they dont send back
Simply put, BA don't enforce the rules, so there is no point changing them until they do
