Feb 6, 2017, 2:07 am
Last edit by: lkrt
Here we try to keep an up-to-date list of who-goes-where. Finnair may have tuned the boarding groups since the first introduction, so some entries here are not confirmed.
Pre-boarding (those in need of assistance, UM, travellers with children of any age)
Group 1: J-pax, AY Lumo, AY Plat, Oneworld Emerald
Group 2: AY Gold, Oneworld Sapphire
Group 3: AY Silver, Oneworld Ruby
Group 4–5: Other customers, depending on seating
Assignment of group
Group is assigned based on ticket type and status of individual frequent flyer card attached to booking. All customers on the same booking are assigned the same group, i.e., based on the highest tier in the party.
The boarding groups are printed on paper boarding pass on every route with capital letters "GROUP 1". The group also appears on digital boarding passes.
Enforcement of Boarding order
Enforcement of groups is haphazard. Sometimes groups are called out, sometimes a call like "we invite our priority customers to board first or at any time". Groups are rarely checked on boarding though and on shorthaul no aids (like ribbons, signs) are used either. At HEL automatic boarding gates have been introduced which means "priority boarding" in now enforced.
Pre-boarding (those in need of assistance, UM, travellers with children of any age)
Group 1: J-pax, AY Lumo, AY Plat, Oneworld Emerald
Group 2: AY Gold, Oneworld Sapphire
Group 3: AY Silver, Oneworld Ruby
Group 4–5: Other customers, depending on seating
Assignment of group
Group is assigned based on ticket type and status of individual frequent flyer card attached to booking. All customers on the same booking are assigned the same group, i.e., based on the highest tier in the party.
The boarding groups are printed on paper boarding pass on every route with capital letters "GROUP 1". The group also appears on digital boarding passes.
Enforcement of Boarding order
Enforcement of groups is haphazard. Sometimes groups are called out, sometimes a call like "we invite our priority customers to board first or at any time". Groups are rarely checked on boarding though and on shorthaul no aids (like ribbons, signs) are used either. At HEL automatic boarding gates have been introduced which means "priority boarding" in now enforced.
Boarding groups - finally?
Feb 4, 2019, 4:18 am
#271
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,591
They have started enforcing the boarding zone policy by making the automated gates be aware of boarding zones. Last weekend when boarding in HEL, when boarding zone 1 was announced ready, it was amusing to see the chain of:
- Pax pushes his way through to the gate and scans boarding pass
- Gate only beeps at him and displays "wrong boarding zone"
- Tries again, oblivious to why the gate does not let him board
- Finally gives up
Repeat for 10 people in a row. All the while the gate staff is repeating "boarding zone 1 only". Happy to see this is now enforced, and in a simple and efficient manner.
- Pax pushes his way through to the gate and scans boarding pass
- Gate only beeps at him and displays "wrong boarding zone"
- Tries again, oblivious to why the gate does not let him board
- Finally gives up
Repeat for 10 people in a row. All the while the gate staff is repeating "boarding zone 1 only". Happy to see this is now enforced, and in a simple and efficient manner.
why are the gate agents just looking and doing nothing while gates stay empty, plane waiting and nobody boarding since the real gr1 people cannot get through the masses of clueless gr4 pax who stay in way and gate agents just stand there with stirring eyes
Feb 4, 2019, 4:34 am
#272
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,164
I think it's still in the process of being rolled out but looking good so far. I was surprised to see the same gate zone enforcement being in place in ZRH for the AY flight to HEL. Haven't seen such things for other flights in ZRH. Fortunately my traveling companion being in group 4 was not an issue, I just explained it to the gate staff and they let us both through with boarding zone 1.
The last time the gate agents patiently waited until the horde of zombies had all tried their luck with the gates and given up. After no one was trying anymore, they asked one more time for group 1 passengers, and that's when I pushed through. It would be nice if they did something like that more often 
As said many times here, the Japanese way of announcing boarding procedure is exemplary.
Feb 4, 2019, 4:35 am
#273
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,164
Feb 4, 2019, 4:45 am
#274
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,591
I have not seen all possible methods but the one in Indonesia was great.
Everybodys BP was stamped with a sticker with color. Boarding announced with color on the screen. No single that stupid person who could be so clueless to fail and try wrong boarding group. 58Ö boarded first with green sticker, yellow went next and last went the front of plane with red sticker.
Awesomely simple. Free to implement all over.
Everybodys BP was stamped with a sticker with color. Boarding announced with color on the screen. No single that stupid person who could be so clueless to fail and try wrong boarding group. 58Ö boarded first with green sticker, yellow went next and last went the front of plane with red sticker.
Awesomely simple. Free to implement all over.
Feb 4, 2019, 6:07 am
#275
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,164
Simple indeed!
Some japanese gates do "the ring girls" thing from boxing (not as scantily dressed though), carrying big placards around the gare area. Very friendly and relaxed boarding procedures.
Some japanese gates do "the ring girls" thing from boxing (not as scantily dressed though), carrying big placards around the gare area. Very friendly and relaxed boarding procedures.
Feb 4, 2019, 7:00 am
#276
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Look at this photo! This is how boarding groups are done properly! Further on the left is first (not actually applicable for this flight) / OWE, then Business / OWS, Premium economy / OWR and last one on the right is Economy. Boarding passes checked for the first three prior to the start of boarding. And as you can see it, this is not HKG, CX's base of operation, but CEB, a "regional" airport in the Philippines.
Feb 4, 2019, 7:04 am
#277
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: HEL
Programs: Drawer of Cards
Posts: 423
If you see how PVG is doing the boarding for AY i like that a lot! Gate agents check your BP before you get in Group1 queue (have always been group 1 not sure if they check BPs for other groups.)
Simple yet no confusion, very similar to the pic @Steve_Hun posted
In most of shechngen gates at Hel the boarding area is simply too small to implement this multiple priority lanes.
Simple yet no confusion, very similar to the pic @Steve_Hun posted
In most of shechngen gates at Hel the boarding area is simply too small to implement this multiple priority lanes.
Feb 4, 2019, 7:20 am
#278
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,734
Look at this photo! This is how boarding groups are done properly! Further on the left is first (not actually applicable for this flight) / OWE, then Business / OWS, Premium economy / OWR and last one on the right is Economy. Boarding passes checked for the first three prior to the start of boarding. And as you can see it, this is not HKG, CX's base of operation, but CEB, a "regional" airport in the Philippines.
I think the major problem at HEL is that they've crammed the whole Schengen area with clusters of expensive and empty (of people) shops, so there's no room left for (1) boarding, (2) waiting.
Feb 4, 2019, 7:54 am
#279
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,591
And this boarding area is about the size of ten boarding areas in HEL Schengen zone.
I think the major problem at HEL is that they've crammed the whole Schengen area with clusters of expensive and empty (of people) shops, so there's no room left for (1) boarding, (2) waiting.
I think the major problem at HEL is that they've crammed the whole Schengen area with clusters of expensive and empty (of people) shops, so there's no room left for (1) boarding, (2) waiting.
Maybe then it is designed for SR shopping runs!
well I dont do that and advice others not to do ”shop runs” as an illegal event
Feb 5, 2019, 3:48 am
#280
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, TP Silver
Posts: 888
Feb 5, 2019, 5:44 am
#283
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), SK G(*G), BW Diamond
Posts: 810
Feb 5, 2019, 6:13 am
#285
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: HEL
Programs: Drawer of Cards
Posts: 423
