Apr 1, 2024, 8:53 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: orbitmic

Information kindly collated by SleepySynapse

Group 0 called before Group 1? (To post 1221)

AGP - mixed
No: 31st March (1059)
Yes: 2nd April (1166)

ALC - no
No: 1st April (1096)

AMS - mostly yes
Yes: 28th March (1038), 1st April (1106), 2nd April (1139)
No: 28th March (996)

ARN - yes
Yes: 27th March (923), 3rd April (1168)

ATH - no
No: 2nd April (1178)

ATL - yes
Yes: 28th March (1141)

BHD - no
No: 30th March (1044), 31st March (1082), 2nd April (1152)

BOM - no
No: 6th April (1216)

BOS - yes
Yes: 1st April (1084)

BRU - mixed
No: 1st April (1083)
Yes: 10th April (1312)

BSL - no
No: 30th March

BUD - mixed
Yes: 30th March (1043)
No: 30th March (1050)

CDG - mixed
No: 26th March (887), 2nd April (1175)
Yes: 28th March (987)

CUN - yes
Yes: 27th March (1030)

DOH - no
No: 3rd April (1164)

DUB - yes
Yes: 26th March (908), 27th March (951), 27th March (964), 29th March (1028), early April (1213)

EDI - yes
Yes: 26th March (919),27th March (912), 4th April (1185)

FNC - no
No: 31st March (1134)

GLA - yes
Yes: 26th March (895), 28th March (1035), 2nd April (1122), 2nd April (1139)

GOT - mixed
Yes: 28th March (975)
No: 1st April (1136)

GVA - yes
Yes: 28th March, 31st March (1137), 2nd April (1135)

HKG - yes
Yes: 2nd April (1163)

INN - no at bus gates
No: 28th March *bus gate* (968)

IST - no
No: 5th April (1197)

JER - mixed
No: (1039)
Yes: 3rd April (1174)

JFK - yes
Yes: 31st March (1087)

LAS - yes
Yes: 22nd April (1495)

LCY - yes
Yes: 27th March (916), 27th March (970), 2nd April (1171)

LGW - mostly yes
Yes: 26th March (905), 27th March (917), 28th March (965), 28th March (989), 28th March (1016), 28th March (1106), 31st March (1052), late March (1132)
No: 28th March (1166), 29th March (1010), 30th March (1042), early April (1182)

LHR - mostly yes
Yes: 26th March (883), 26th March (884), 27th March (913), 27th March (942),27th March (960), 28th March (1027), 29th March (1030), 29th March (1031), 30th March *bus gate* (1040),31st March (1074), 31st March (1082), 31st March (1082), 31st March *T3* (1136), 1st April (1107), 2nd April *T3* (1126), 2nd April *bus* (1139), 2nd April (1175), 4th April *T3* (1186), 4th April (1191), early April (1192), early April *T3* (1210), 4th April *bus* (1212), 6th April (1211), 6th April (1219), 8th April 2024 (1312)
No: 26th March (857), 26th March (861), 26th March (873), 26th March (895), 26th March (904), 27th March (959), 28th March *bus gate* (990), 29th March *T3* (1026), 30th March (1044), 30th March (1044), 31st March (1061), 1st April (1088), early April (1192), 12th April *T3* (1334), 24 April JFK

LPA - no
No: 3rd April (1183)

MAD - no
No: 1st April (1086)

MAN - yes
Yes: 27th March (937), 27th March (952), 29th March (1032), 11th April (1315)

MLA - no
No: 29th March (1036)

MLE - no
No: 28th March *bus* (1170)

MUC - no
No: 26th March (892)
Yes: 17 April (949)

NCE - no
No: 24 April

NCL - not really, but generally straight on board
Not really: 1st April (1088), early April (1192)
No, when waiting in gate area: 3rd April (1211)

ORD - yes
Yes: 28th March (999), 28th March (1000)

OSL - yes
Yes: 3rd April (1160)

OTP - no
No: early April (1167)

POS - no
No: 2nd April (1184)

PRG - yes
Yes: 5th April (1198)

PSA - yes
Yes: 15th April

RTM - no
No: 5th April (1201)

RUH - yes
Yes: 27th March (939)

SOF - no
No: 14th April (1359)

SCL - yes
Yes: 4th Apil (1187)

SIN - mixed
No: 31st March (1073)
Yes: 6th April (1221)

SYD - mixed
No: 31st March (1049)
Yes: 7th April (1217)

TFS - no
No: early April (1182)

VIE - no
No: 6th April (1200)

ZRH - mixed
Yes: 26th March (958),31st March (1060), 1st April (1105)
No: 26th March (963), 5th April (1211)

__PRESENT

Group 0 boarding for GGL

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Sep 9, 2023, 8:35 am

#46

Rubecula

Join Date: Oct 2015

Programs: BA Gold for Life

Posts: 1,390

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjLDNY

I've seen this a few times. Why is it more beneficial on short-haul than long-haul?

When travelling short haul with hand luggage only there is more competition for overhead bin space. First dibs for that space is more desirable than on long haul.

makin'miles, The _Banking_Scot, TheRealBabushka and 4 others like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 8:41 am

#47

jjLDNY

Join Date: Sep 2019

Location: LDN / NY

Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob

Posts: 538

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubecula

When travelling short haul with hand luggage only there is more competition for overhead bin space. First dibs for that space is more desirable than on long haul.

Got it. So CE where 2 golds who have rushed out of their (LPGS-less) GF to get first in line with their 2 carry-ons take up the entire front left and right bin with assistance from the CC.

I guess that doesn't apply to long-haul as anyone in group 1 in Y will still be fine. Makes sense!

becks1 and DelTroon like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 8:43 am

#48

LondonAussie

Join Date: Oct 2021

Location: London (née Melbourne)

Programs: Qantas Platinum (Oneworld Emerald)

Posts: 988

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjLDNY

I've seen this a few times. Why is it more beneficial on short-haul than long-haul?

Ensuring you can get your hand luggage into the cabin, and into an overhead.

People on short-haul are more likely to avoid checking a bag, so everyone tends to have more carry-on luggage. Unfortunately short-haul planes also usually have less space per person to stow it. So the main benefit of priority boarding is to avoid your bag getting gate-checked, and then to be able to find room in the overhead near your seat when you board.

Otherwise, many people with status actually prefer boarding as late as possible to instead spend more time in the comfort of the lounge, and less time sitting around on the plane waiting for everyone else to hurry up and sit down so that we can be ready to depart.

chipster, FlightDetective, becks1 and 2 others like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 8:48 am

#49

HFHFFlyer

Join Date: Mar 2017

Programs: BA GGL, GfL, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, AllAccor Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite

Posts: 1,042

Quote:

Originally Posted by subject2load

Though a non-GGL, I do support this change in principle (and I’m sure BA will be glad of my endorsement

) - if only because it is right that any privileges which help smooth the journey are granted according to passenger status.

However, as others have already said, it would perhaps be a better idea if BA managers were to focus their efforts on bringing some consistency and efficiency to the existing Group boarding policy before adding yet another category, with the very real risk of potential further complications.

Am inclined to see one of three likely outcomes :

GGL’s are boarded promptly ; but - for other groups - the all-too-frequent chaos and general mayhem continues

the process remains periodically chaotic for everyone (inc. GGL’s) ….. so, no change

GGL’s are boarded promptly AND all other groups are henceforth also prioritised correctly …… so, a much-needed all-round improvement

I suspect there are perhaps other variations-on-a-theme, ie over & above those I have suggested……. ?

It will be interesting to see how things actually pan out in the wild, once launched.

Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement !

Slightly OT but I’ve long been saying that the mayhem at T5a could be reduced with a little common sense. Don’t leave all the queuing lanes tensa-ed off as folks start to gather. Open a lane for 1, a lane for 2 and a land for 3. Tell everyone else to go away and sit down. As lane 1 empties, call group 4 to use it, as lane 2 empties call group 5 to use it, etc. Half the problems right now are caused by queuing for the queue….

makin'miles, BA or bust, Fredrik74 and 11 others like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 8:56 am

#50

carat22

Join Date: Feb 2010

Programs: BA Gold, HH

Posts: 261

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightstar100

There has been a somewhat predictable response in this thread - the beneficiaries (i.e. those who are already GGL) are in favour, and the non-beneficiaries (in particular those who are Gold who especially perceive a devaluation of their status) are against.

Anyway, as a GGL, I welcome it and hope it is more broadly rolled out following the pilot.

personally as a Gold I think it’s a good thing. Whenever you fly AA it’s always concierge first + armed forces / vets (whatever order it is) and that’s fair in my view especially when it comes to SH as it reflects the amount of travel that the tier rewards and should be recognised.

where I think its slightly off is when travelling in first. But if they do it properly it doesn’t really need to be an issue but I am sure that won’t be the case.

flyingnomad and becks1 like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 8:59 am

#51

zen100

Join Date: Dec 2017

Posts: 833

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanp7

Non-GGL and also support this. And to eventually include F.

Group zero is an odd name though. Can't we just say "GGL are welcome to pre-board" like the yanks!?

AA make big deal out of CK. Any regular traveller with AA will know that CK exists, even if their are not an AAdvantage member.

Whereas BA seem to go out of their way to make GGL a secret. I suspect the vast majority of Golds don't even know that GGL exists.

So if the gate agent announces, "We now invite Gold Guest List members to pre-board", all the Golds will hear the word "Gold" - and (understandably) think it means them.

makin'miles, HNL1K, BA or bust and 8 others like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:02 am

#52

lcylocal

Join Date: Oct 2017

Programs: Honors Diamond

Posts: 1,640

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen100

Could simply call the passengers concerned by name? I doubt there will be many on each flight? Maybe people would find that annoying?

Markie, golfmad and becks1 like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:02 am

#53

zen100

Join Date: Dec 2017

Posts: 833

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightstar100

For who? Not for the GGL group. I think BA are trying to improve the experience for some of their most valued customers.

Yes, but if Group 0 is just lumped into a "We now invite groups zero to three to board" announcement, then GGLs won't see any benefit at all.

Sorting out a consistent boarding for Groups 1 to 3 helps GGLs as well - it's not mutually exclusive.

EuropeanPete, bafan, Arsey00 and 1 others like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:02 am

#54

Tobias-UK

Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: UK/Las Vegas

Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)

Posts: 15,930

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxtailsoup

Genuine question.. will pre-boarding (kids etc) be before or after group zero?

I have no idea, that question slipped my mind when having the conversation. Unfortunately I won’t be able to seek clarification because I’m in Australia for the next few weeks. I suspect we’ll have some real world feedback by then.

I suspect PRMs and those with young children will still be pre-boarded ahead of Group 0, but time will tell us.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:06 am

#55

lcylocal

Join Date: Oct 2017

Programs: Honors Diamond

Posts: 1,640

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias-UK

I suspect PRMs and those with young children will still be pre-boarded ahead of Group 0, but time will tell us.

Of course when it happens. Travelling with my little one (under 2) it’s very hit and miss whether gate agents even remember, and if they do often lumped into groups 1-3. PRMs a little more reliable I think.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:12 am

#56

HIDDY

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: Argentina

Posts: 40,212

Must look out my 'Blue' T Shirt again.

BA or bust, Flexible preferences, Geordie405 and 5 others like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:26 am

#57

jjLDNY

Join Date: Sep 2019

Location: LDN / NY

Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob

Posts: 538

It would make the most sense to replicate the CK model. That means Group 0 would be just before they call group 1 (or in BAs case 1-3).

As a person who travels frequently in the US, I'm keen to see if the memo makes it over here and we are invited alongside CK more often.

TheRealBabushka and becks1 like this.

Sep 9, 2023, 9:39 am

#58

aoyamaguy

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: London, UK

Programs: BA Executive Club (GGL, GFL)

Posts: 226

All of this potential or perceived confusion between Gold and Gold Guest List would be avoided just by rebranding GGL as Platinum/Diamond/some other precious substance that doesn’t have the word “Gold” in it.

ijgordon, seanp7, HIDDY and 6 others like this.