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FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Nov 16, 2017, 12:18 pm by jay_dubyaAs discovered by BeantownFlyer, there are lots of details on JetBlue's website
Quote:Originally Posted by jspira"The Group B boarding group will be for those with window seats in the back half of the plane. Group C is for passengers in middle seats in the back and front window seats. Group D is for passengers with aisle seats in the back and middle seats up front, while Group E will be for passengers with aisle seats in the forward part of the aircraft...."
From JetBlue to Unveil New Boarding ProcessQuote:
JetBlue will board those passengers traveling in Mint on aircraft with a Mint cabin as well as those with TrueBlue Mosaic elite status first. The next group, Group A, will be for those passengers in the airlines Even More Space premium economy-lite seats. In between Group A and Group B, families with small children may board.
The Group B boarding group will be for those with window seats in the back half of the plane. Group C is for passengers in middle seats in the back and front window seats. Group D is for passengers with aisle seats in the back and middle seats up front, while Group E will be for passengers with aisle seats in the forward part of the aircraft.
Smaller aircraft will have one fewer boarding group.
Saw this in action on recent round trip BOS-SFO. Had middle/aisle at back of plane both flights, and boarded in Group C both times for both of us, so they aren't splitting up groups on the same PNR.
I can't accurately say if there was a change in boarding time, as this was my first A321 flight, but both boardings (particularly outbound from BOS) seemed to take forever. Flight back wasn't full, so that helped, but boarding was pretty slow, and gate agents seemed to be allowing long pauses between boarding groups (presumably to let the aisle clear out).
I know I'm overly skeptical, but it still seems like these changes are just shuffling the deck chairs - as long as we're boarding humans it's not going to work well. ;-)
I can't accurately say if there was a change in boarding time, as this was my first A321 flight, but both boardings (particularly outbound from BOS) seemed to take forever. Flight back wasn't full, so that helped, but boarding was pretty slow, and gate agents seemed to be allowing long pauses between boarding groups (presumably to let the aisle clear out).
I know I'm overly skeptical, but it still seems like these changes are just shuffling the deck chairs - as long as we're boarding humans it's not going to work well. ;-)
No matter what boarding process they use, it will always take longer than any simulation they perform in Long Island City. There will always be those customers who take there sweet time blocking the aisle because they don't know where row 12 seat C is. I've been on multiple airlines recently and there is no easy solution. Very frustrating to those of us who board and find our seats and are ready to go.
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I believe EMS is Group A. GA was very specific that Military/Families board after Mosaics. Perhaps someone else who is non-Mosaic but EMS can confirm this.Originally Posted by Points Scrounger
EMS = 2a?
This weekend at SFO (and I believe earlier at BOS), Group A was EMS and uniformed military, as it was announced in SFO.
As an aside, the monitors at SFO (the airport's common use system in Terminal A) helpfully indicated which group was boarding (including labeling the first group Mint and Mosaic, so it was customized for B6), but no such feature at BOS. :-/
As an aside, the monitors at SFO (the airport's common use system in Terminal A) helpfully indicated which group was boarding (including labeling the first group Mint and Mosaic, so it was customized for B6), but no such feature at BOS. :-/
Boarding Process
I've always believed, the best way for airlines to do the boarding process is to board those WITHOUT CARRY ON'S FIRST. That way those that do not have carry on's can take their seats while the rest of the flyers flight for overhead space.
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Can you elaborate on why you think the only people who have no need for overhead space would want to board early?Originally Posted by DSOhio
I've always believed, the best way for airlines to do the boarding process is to board those WITHOUT CARRY ON'S FIRST. That way those that do not have carry on's can take their seats while the rest of the flyers flight for overhead space.
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That makes no sense. The whole point of boarding early (and airlines monetizing on this by selling priority boarding) is for people to have early access to overhead bins. If they boarded people without carry ons first, you'll end up with bins full of personal items, and a bunch of irate people who will then need to gate check their bags. Not to mention that airlines would no longer be able to sell priority boarding as it would lose its value.Originally Posted by DSOhio
I've always believed, the best way for airlines to do the boarding process is to board those WITHOUT CARRY ON'S FIRST. That way those that do not have carry on's can take their seats while the rest of the flyers flight for overhead space.
First (or maybe even second) checked bag free. $100 for a carry on. Like seriously penalize carry ons...
You could board a fully loaded A380 in 10 minutes. Single biggest issue I see with boarding speed is infrequent flyers stuffing huge carry on bags into overhead bins. Mosaics and people with an understanding of overhead bag sizes get priority boarding.
You could board a fully loaded A380 in 10 minutes. Single biggest issue I see with boarding speed is infrequent flyers stuffing huge carry on bags into overhead bins. Mosaics and people with an understanding of overhead bag sizes get priority boarding.
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You could board a fully loaded A380 in 10 minutes. Single biggest issue I see with boarding speed is infrequent flyers stuffing huge carry on bags into overhead bins. Mosaics and people with an understanding of overhead bag sizes get priority boarding.
I believe Spirit charges more for overhead use than checked.Originally Posted by EasyD
First (or maybe even second) checked bag free. $100 for a carry on. Like seriously penalize carry ons...You could board a fully loaded A380 in 10 minutes. Single biggest issue I see with boarding speed is infrequent flyers stuffing huge carry on bags into overhead bins. Mosaics and people with an understanding of overhead bag sizes get priority boarding.
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Board any mainline aircraft with 20%+ of the passengers who are "elite" and you'll see it is still a mess. There's no particular demographic of people who struggle storing bags in overheads.Originally Posted by EasyD
Mosaics and people with an understanding of overhead bag sizes get priority boarding.
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I travel about twice a year with checked luggage and nothing for the overhead. I would never want to sit on the plane longer when I didn't need to and I'm in the isle with people slamming into my broad shoulders.Originally Posted by DSOhio
I've always believed, the best way for airlines to do the boarding process is to board those WITHOUT CARRY ON'S FIRST. That way those that do not have carry on's can take their seats while the rest of the flyers flight for overhead space.
No thanks, nothing for the overhead I am last on, ok last without losing my seat.
I spoke with an FA manager from HQ and she told me that for people on the same PNR, you must board with the later group if you want to board together. This has been confirmed by several GA and in practice, from what I've seen.
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Hmm, perhaps that's a refinement after launch? Flew earlier this month with two travelers on E190 flights, with 20A/B both flights. Boarded with Group B both times, which should be the first general boarding group (i.e., window seats, back half of plane) IIRC?Originally Posted by aviators99
I spoke with an FA manager from HQ and she told me that for people on the same PNR, you must board with the later group if you want to board together. This has been confirmed by several GA and in practice, from what I've seen.
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Depends if both passengers checked in at the same timeOriginally Posted by octr202
Hmm, perhaps that's a refinement after launch? Flew earlier this month with two travelers on E190 flights, with 20A/B both flights. Boarded with Group B both times, which should be the first general boarding group (i.e., window seats, back half of plane) IIRC?