og

serfty

Were they Priority eligible ?

Maybe it was just a four person general queue in the wrong lane.

og

Hvr

So at worst a 50% fail.

henrus

I don't fly Qantas often but my flight last week takes the cake for strangest boarding.

An announcement was never made so as soon as a few people gathered in the queues then boarding commenced it seemed to be a free for all.

WiscAZ

I've noticed this a lot as well. Seems that priority boarding is non existent on QF. Not that it matters, boarding in AU is a breeze compared the the States.

Timothy Hillier

Well Qantas sometimes have a dedicated priority boarding queue but once you're past that you have to line up anyway in the aerobridge with the rest of the proles so it really makes no difference. And it's not like you're going to get to your ultimate destination any quicker anyway.

In fact it would probably be quicker for all concerned if they just scrapped it altogether. Priority boarding is one of those useless "perks" they offer that cost the airline nothing and really make no difference to the passenger.

Like the chief steward "recognising" you on board after takeoff on international flights - all they're doing is reading your name off a piece of paper. What's the point? Do any passengers actually feel "special" because he's done that? I guess there are some DYKWIA people that do. I actually find it quite embarrassing - especially when the steward is quite loud in singling me out and announcing my name to all and sundry around me.

Scrap that nonsense and stick him in the galley helping the crew - maybe we'll all get our drinks quicker instead of waiting for an hour after takeoff.

nancypants

dddc

That's only if you arrive at the gate after general boarding begins. If you're there when they first announce the flight for boarding and it's priority only, you get first go at the overhead locker space above your seat.

If you're a very frequent flyer, you'd probably appreciate a small benefit like this so that you can, as above, get your bags into the overhead. There is a cost in making up the signage Priority this side, the rest the other. Cathay even has signs for row numbers in Y at some ports.

Again, a small bit recognition that you are important to the airline, if they value your business, even in Y. For most people, the only time they have any human interaction with anyone from the airline these days is onboard. It's also the passengers opportunity to say they'd be grateful if a particular meal option was available, even in Y. Small touches that don't cost much or anything and can bring some brand loyalty.

Also, I thought being called by your name was common in the premium cabins - even as a non-status traveller. I'm sure on one A380 PE flight the purser came round and introduced himself to everybody. On my last J flight, whenever they came round with the meals, they had the manifest and were asking people by name what they would like.

og

Blackcloud

In my flights last week all 7 flights (WLG, SYD, BNE and CBR) had Priority Boarding called out first and people in the PB line who did not have access were sent to the other line.

og

CXCPA

Domestic boarding seems free for all and very messy. There are like 2 big Qs, one for C1, WP, J, OW(E/S/R) the other other Economy. International boarding priority is enforced I guessed. Was glad to board the A380s first. LOL

nancypants

serfty

... or ... operate priority boarding like VA generally does domestically.