New Delta Boarding Process Jan 2019
#346
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
Mods, please merge with existing thread.
#348
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
Programs: HiltonHonors, IHG Hotels, DL Skymiles
Posts: 2,070
This explains it better. No more numbers or abbreviations. Boarding zones will say Delta One, Premium Select, First Class, Delta Comfort+, Sky Priority, Main Cabin 1, Main Cabin 2, Main Cabin 3, Basic Economy. They will also each have their own color coding. DM's will presumably say Delta One or First Class boarding zones (even if they are not in those cabins).
https://news.delta.com/boarding-simp...tte-tie-it-all
https://news.delta.com/boarding-simp...tte-tie-it-all
#349
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
And on top of that, they've also created the issue of boarding chaos and making many passengers want to board as early as possible to secure OH bin space because of charging for checked bags. This, combined with wanting to put bags in the OH bin to make Y seating a little more tolerable makes overhead bin space a premium commodity. I do realize the issue did still exist prior to checked-bag fees as many people still brought roll-a-board sized carryons rather than checking and Y seat pitch has been tight the past couple decades, but the problem certainly grew upon the implementation of bag fees. But I guess the problem of limited OH bin space and the fight for bin space is outweighed by baggage fees and it's offset by enabling the airline to monetize priority boarding or sell branded Credit Cards that come with "Priority" boarding, from which the fees help line the airline's pockets.
#350
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,782
The same person who was hired by Chase Bank to redesign the monthly mortgage statement. What could be found on a single page is now spread out over three pages.
Last edited by FlyingUnderTheRadar; Jan 19, 2019 at 10:53 am
#351
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Have flown several UA segments this year and they have a ton of boarding groups also. It’s nice as the groups are smaller and way less backup on the jetway (which never made sense to me to load everyone up in the jetway).
Last edited by apodo77; Jan 19, 2019 at 2:04 pm
#352
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Programs: DL Gold 2MM, UA Gold, SPG LT Plat, MR Plat, Hyatt Glob, HH Gold
Posts: 16
Understand the change...but
While this provides clarity of the Delta caste system, I believe it will only add unintended confusion to the boarding process. Non-frequent flyers have no idea of what constitutes a Delta One, Premium, Comfort, SkyMiles or basic economy group and how it relates to them. Any pax who has ever waited for boarding knows this. Even today, when they board SkyMiles members, zoners ask, "is that us?...it must be us....let's go". They understand numbers. It's universal.
As a lifetime Gold member, this is just down one more rung on the "what have you done for me lately" ladder. On the bright side, I can look forward to the time where I'll need a little extra time getting down the jetway.
As a lifetime Gold member, this is just down one more rung on the "what have you done for me lately" ladder. On the bright side, I can look forward to the time where I'll need a little extra time getting down the jetway.
#353
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE knows numberical order. 2 comes after 1, followed by three.
As to colors - who the hell knows what order they are?
Answer - nobody.
My forecast? There will be ZERO improvement in boarding Delta planes. And surely some added confusion from folks that do not listen, or think they are a different color than they are.
As to colors - who the hell knows what order they are?
Answer - nobody.
My forecast? There will be ZERO improvement in boarding Delta planes. And surely some added confusion from folks that do not listen, or think they are a different color than they are.
#354
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,267
Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE knows numberical order. 2 comes after 1, followed by three.
As to colors - who the hell knows what order they are?
Answer - nobody.
My forecast? There will be ZERO improvement in boarding Delta planes. And surely some added confusion from folks that do not listen, or think they are a different color than they are.
As to colors - who the hell knows what order they are?
Answer - nobody.
My forecast? There will be ZERO improvement in boarding Delta planes. And surely some added confusion from folks that do not listen, or think they are a different color than they are.
#355
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,294
I noticed today on DLs press release today talking about the updated boarding process that they have updated the boarding order graphic to show how pre-boarding will work. Those who need more time to board (wheelchairs, etc) still board first obviously but those with car seats and strollers now board after FC! This is such a great change especially being based in MCO where there are a million kids on every flight that it takes forever to board FC.
Here is the updated graphic:
Here is the updated graphic:
#356
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 89
So, interesting.. Flying to PVR tomorrow and my Zone says 'FIRST.' DM flying in first but no color coding or otherwise differentiated look via mobile check in/Apple Wallet boarding pass than before. Past Sunday flight from SFO (in first) was the standard 'PREM' zone on the BP.
#357
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
[left]I noticed today on DLs press release today talking about the updated boarding process that they have updated the boarding order graphic to show how pre-boarding will work. Those who need more time to board (wheelchairs, etc) still board first obviously but those with car seats and strollers now board after FC! This is such a great change especially being based in MCO where there are a million kids on every flight that it takes forever to board FC.
#358
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,885
The similar colors remind me of this SNL opening on threat levels: natural, bone, putty, cream, off-white, and taupe:
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-l...d-open/2872724
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-l...d-open/2872724
#359
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
The similar colors remind me of this SNL opening on threat levels: natural, bone, putty, cream, off-white, and taupe:
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-l...d-open/2872724
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-l...d-open/2872724
#360
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,240
Given the new graphic, I'm really confused why they don't just print on the boarding pass and verbally say Zones 1-8 (I think that's how AA does it?), in addition to the verbal name. i.e., "Now boarding Zone 3, Delta Comfort+."
I get the idea that the color on a mobile boarding pass could match the color on the gate area screens as a nice secondary indicator that you're boarding at the right time, but a straight set of numbers seems easiest for people (especially non-frequent fliers) could understand.
I get the idea that the color on a mobile boarding pass could match the color on the gate area screens as a nice secondary indicator that you're boarding at the right time, but a straight set of numbers seems easiest for people (especially non-frequent fliers) could understand.