Group Boarding Trials
 

Judy received the below from CX - I think it’s a good move to reduce the confusion / boarding lines globally… just like AA (let’s hope not like BA at LHR)

***
We're writing with some important information about your upcoming flight to Hong Kong.

As part of our vision to become one of the world's greatest service brands, we continue to refine our services and introduce new experiences to make your journey with us even more seamless and enjoyable.

We know that the airport experience is important in setting the tone for the rest of your journey which is why, from Friday, 10 January, we’ll be trialling, from select airports, a new way of boarding Cathay Pacific flights. Your flight tomorrow has been chosen as part of these trials.

If you have already checked in online, or when you check-in tomorrow, you will see on your boarding pass, a 'Boarding Group' number. When boarding starts for your flight, our airport team will invite you to board progressively from Group 1 to Group 6 (or 7 on some larger aircraft). To test the effectiveness of these trials, our boarding gate systems will strictly enforce the group numbers, so we ask you to please only board when we call the Group number shown on your boarding pass.

If you're a Cathay Diamond, Gold or Silver member, oneworld Emerald or Sapphire, or you’re travelling in our First or Business class cabins, you'll continue to enjoy priority boarding under these new arrangements.

Your feedback on these trials is very important to us. In the post-flight survey we’ll send you via email, you’ll have the chance to let us know what you think. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your experience and any suggestions before we implement this new system across our network.

We appreciate this is a significant change to the way you start your journey with us. We're hoping by improving your boarding experience, it provides you with an even more relaxing and enjoyable start to your journey.
***

Bizarre that they're only implementing this now. That said, the line approach has felt very Southwest Airlines and always surprising to remember that it's the way to do it on CX.

I experienced group boarding last week ex-Japan. To be honest, except for the signs with numbers at the front, I noticed virtually no difference.

Our flight was slightly delayed boarding so everyone was already at the gate. And this being Japan, things were fairly orderly to begin with (that being said, I've always found CX boarding at both HND and NRT among the more aggravating CX outstation boarding experiences (plus SFO), I think it just has to do with gate design).

I was just at SFO yesterday which had the new boarding system and it was exactly like you describe. The new system makes status members easier to navigate the queues but I think it’ll be harder for the staff. The number of times passengers in Group 5 went up to the staff to ask where they should queue, only to have her explain that Group 4 & 5 haven’t even started queuing…

What’s the problem with the existing method? :confused:

No difference between boarding systems unless there is sufficient enforcement of it. I have seen too many passengers - either ignorantly or deliberately - bully their way on board despite their row / group not being called.

Nothing wrong in terms of efficiency. However, creating boarding groups will enable them to sell "early boarding privileges" like what the US airlines do. In particular, you are strongly encouraged to buy the "Priority Boarding" benefit, which will give you the privilege to stand in Boarding Group 4;)

Whatever they’ve been doing is working fine. 3 queues is good enough.

Agree. Ex-HKG we don't have the same fight for overheads like BA/AA/QF does.

Exactly.

You're a frequent flyer or a premium pax - you know where you're standing, so join the right queue.

You're not a frequent flyer or a premium pax - assuming you don't know where you should stand, then join the long Y queue.

Why make 7 lines when 4 has been working nicely

I agree. I’m curious how did the Swire MTs come up with this decision. It just doesn’t make sense by complicating things.

The current process is simple: you either board with F/J/W/Y. There are two minor issues: sometimes a long J queue because you bunch J pax with GO+SL and a long Y queue. The former is a minor problem as the line rather goes beyond 60+ people. For elite heavy routes (HND/PEK/SHA/PVG/LHR/JFK), it has been a civilised as everyone understand the process. For elite light routes, this problem doesn’t exist.

As for the long Y queue, I hope the changes are focused in this area. I remember they’ve been trying to board according to your row number. I must admit I haven’t boarded in the Y queue in many years. I remember when the green card gets you priority boarding, similar to the PEY queue.

CX’s boarding process is already very organised and should be something AA and BA to learn from. I hope they don’t complicates things up for the sake of KPIs.

I don't really understand the change. I don't think there is any need to/can split the F/DM / J/GO lines any further so are they just creating 3 more lines of Y?

I totally agree.

Maybe something like JL domestic, Y passengers start from Row59+ ,then 39-59. This could work for some airports have a narrow space in front of the gate.

Taking MAA-HKG a few days ago in Y they specified boarding by row numbers in blocks (from the back first, obviously) and were rigorous in enforcing it, It seemed to work reasonably well.

As always the age old question is, if you show your physical / electronic membership card at the gate, without the FFP# being on your boarding pass, will the staff & system allow you through?

Can forsee a lot of problems when ppl want to accrue to one FFP but use the benefits of another