Comments on: Virgin America’s latest – a new boarding procedure that might actually make sense

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:21:18 +0000

This seems like a great logical change that would allow more smooth boarding for passengers without carry on luggage to be stored in overhead bins. However, once those that do have carry on luggage to be stored in overhead bins are allowed to board, it may be even more of a stop and go experience. In either case, I think boarding will require a little patience, or a lot of patience if your departure is delayed, but that is another issue…

By: Domestic v Overseas

Domestic v Overseas — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:50:18 +0000

I would go for this when flying domestic where I could more easily replace items in my checked bag if it’s lost, but I would be hesitant to fly overseas without a carryon bag large enough for a change of clothes, camera, medicine, etc. plus a small one under my seat for items I want handy during the flight: on-board entertainment (book, etc.), an extra snack and bottle of water, medicine I need before landing, etc.

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:38:19 +0000

Ed … Thank you. I flew AirFrance business and they had business and first using a seperate door. It eased conjestion tremendously. If they could, as you suggested, use 3+ doors I think they would be on to something wonderful.

Also, if they could reunite you with your checked luggage promptly at the end of the flight people might be more willing to risk it. The Air France inflight magazine had an article about CDG airport having a superior track record with getting checked luggage to its destination … of course our flight must have been the exeption with 10+ passengers with lost luggage.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:36:26 +0000

Boarding passengers without carry-on luggage is an idea worth trying. However, I disagree with boarding from the back first. They did this on some carriers years ago and it ended up people would stop on the way back and use the overhead of other seats, so when they got on board, their overhead storage was gone!! It happened to me a few times and I was not a happy traveler!!

By: ajaynejr

ajaynejr — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:39:09 +0000

To illustrate the preposterousness of boarding First Class last, suppose we add to the contract of carriage that the airline must provide carry on space for first class passengers.

But boarding first class last makes it a little easier to manage overhead baggage because the flight attendants can summarily remove items from the first class bins just before first class boards.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:02:55 +0000

Airplanes would be boarded *MUCH* faster if they load passengers through more than one door! Most airplanes have 4 or more doors…why do we have to funnel all 400+ (747 jumbos) through a single door?
Ed

By: MollyNYC

MollyNYC — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:33:55 +0000

As e wolf says, I see possible problems. However, I think it’s worth a try.
Boarding from the back to front also makes sense, but airlines rarely do that.
I travel with my roller suitcase, which easily fits in the overhard bin, not because of cost. (I’m premium and don’t have to pay for luggage) but for convenience. Too many times I’ve had to wait an hour to get my luggage, and if my flight is a connecting one, the stress of worrying about not getting my luggage, and/or having my luggage pilfered, is too unsettling.

The biggest problem is the people who put things in bins far from their seats, such as throwing an item into bin 5 when they’re in seat 20, and then some of us not having room in our nearby overhead. That’s the rudest thing of all and is the root of the boarding mayhem. If everyone was secure in knowing that the bin near their seat would have room for their things, there wouldn’t be such clammoring at the gate to get on board as quickly.

When I fly Biz or First Class, which is about 70% of the time, I don’t board early. What for? I sit comfortably either in the lounge or at the gate knowing that there will be bin space near me. I guess I don’t have the need to stare at coach passengers while they file past me as if I’m better than them.

By: Kathleen Wright

Kathleen Wright — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:35:11 +0000

I don’t fly first class but if you have paid for it I think you should board first. I see first class passengers pushing to board all the time, like somebody was going to take their seat. What’s that about? I think coach should board from the rear; and I like the idea of those with no bags except one purse or laptop size carry-on to board first. Anyway, one that fits under the seat. I flew United last week and it was very nice, both ways. United has a premium economy that gives you a wonderful amount of leg room for very small increase in ticket cost.

By: Maggi Helms

Maggi Helms — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:23:52 +0000

NOW LET THOSE PASSENGERS WITHOUT CARRY ONS OFF THE PLANE FIRST.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:59:59 +0000

I have never understood why not incorporate boarding window seats before middle seats and then finally aisle seats (of course after the privileged first class can get their seats and drinks). My pet peeve is the use of overhead space in the front of coach by people that sit in the back of coach that were able to board in one of the early groups.