Hello All:

I've been flying Aeroflot for eight months due to my job location. According to the Skyteam website, Aeroflot began priority boarding last July. As an Elite member, I am a bit ticked that every flight boarding I've taken with them is nothing more than a cattle call with no distinction between Elite and non-Elite.


Comments?

same things happens with many ST airlines. I agree that this is a nice perk, but I find C-class check-in and lounge access way more important.

Even KLM sometimes does that "cattle call thing". When that happens sometimes I cut the line and show my platinum card. I have been turned back though......
I love to see how all these corporate ideas and wonderful websites with promises of special treatment do not translate into action by the people in the trenches.

Many overseas flights on non-US carriers are cattle call. Learn the rules and play by them.

In China we did five internal flights. If you wanted carry-on space you needed to be aggressive. I was and it worked.

The worst flights were where they bussed you to the plane and all h@#% broke loose as soon as the doors opened. Even there, elbows and pushing saved the day.

Perhaps it ought not have to be that way, but it sometimes is. Life's too short to let that bother you.

Of late when time is not an issue I've taken to checking my main carry-on. It makes hanging around airports and boarding so much nicer. Overseas baggage limits prevent that though.

Then why does Skyteam claim this as an "Elite" perk for all Skyteam members? Even when I fly business with Aeroflot they pig-pile everyone on...my complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

First of all..
Welcome to FT!

I've seen things different based on the Airport and the route. Sometime the
regular calls just dont work well and they end up doing the cattle call.

ST is pretty bad at this, but I've been fairly happy with *A.

Here's Aeroflot's (non)response:

Dear Sir!

According to the rules
Priority Boarding** � member can board early for more time to locate seat and store carry-on luggage.
** On Aeroflot flights available from July 2006
Aeromexico offers this benefit on all flights except between Mexico City and Monterrey as well as Mexico City and Guadalajara.
Air France offer this benefit on international flights only.
Delta does not offer this benefit on Delta Shuttle flights, Delta Connection flights and Song flights.

--
With best regards,
Aeroflot Bonus Center
997848
________________________
post:125167,Moscow, Leningradsky prosp, 37/9
tel. 7 (495) 223-55-55
fax 7 (495) 784-71-74
email: [email protected]

�� ������ 29 ?????? 2007 ?., 16:52:04:


> Brgds,
> Beata Sinai
> Aeroflot Bonus Rep. in U.S.A
> 212-944-2300 x151
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: -----------------------------------
> To: <[email protected]>
> Subject: Skyteam Benefits?


>> Good Day:
>>
>> When will Aeroflot offer priority boarding to Skyteam Elite members?
>> According to the website, that should have happened in July 2006. I have
>> been on numerous Aeroflot segments and no priority boarding has been
>> called.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>

Skyteam members get treated the same as the particular airline treats its own elite. If it is cattle call boarding for them, it is also that way for other Skyteam elites. That's just how it is.

Welcome to FT!

I have found that the customs differ among various airlines. In fairness to KLM, I have found that they always board ST Elites first--it's never failed.

It's just one of those Aeroflot inconsistencies that seem to plague many of us. If your destinations have any compatibility with DL SVO routes, you might want to consider that. Sorry if that's telling you something you already have thought of and don't want to do.

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions. I look forward to mixing it up on this board!

I'm based out of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (a disaster of a city, and a dungeon of an airport) for the next five months. That's the reason for the Aeroflot query.

Thanks again.

There is no priority boarding on any airline out of TLV -- very frustrating, seeing as that is my home airport.

I agree. In CDG, it is almost always a "cattle call" into the bus. However, in FCO, we boarded on a jet-way to the plane in zone order and it was wonderful!

Does not have priority boarding any LY, AZ, AF, OK, DL out from TLV. I can see get onto boarding for my priority boarding early with DL & NW. Last time I took on NW from PHX-DTW-MEM-TPA-MEM-PHX in 2006. I have more mileage runs when I am flying on NW because DL has been too expensive was over $300 roundtrip. I am always priority boarding the Skyteam Elite. I can get on the plane quickly.

Hi,

have been flying LHR-SVO-KRR several times last year and must say, that the international flights are always cattle calls (cutting the queue mostly works, but somehow it feels awkward).
The national flights of SU are usual scary, but Elite Plus treatment is nevertheless excellent. In KRR the lounge is small, but you are being picked up personally and driven in a small "VIP" labeled van in front of the waiting crowd in the bus which has to wait for the doors being opened until the cabin crew saw you seated (must admit, I loved it ;-) )
The national terminal also does priority seating - but only for queing and going into the bus.