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Delta Air Lines is scrapping its back-to-front boarding process
One of Delta’s last remaining pandemic-era policy adjustments has just come to an end. On Tuesday, Sept. 14, the Atlanta-based carrier resumed its “normal,” zone-based boarding process after nearly 18 months of loading coach passengers from back to front. The carrier confirmed the move in the following statement to TPG: As Delta continues to welcome customers back onboard, we also continue to explore opportunities that keep people moving efficiently and enhance the airport experience. Beginning… (www.msn.com) More...
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Never understood why airlines don't board window seats first, then middle seats, and then aisle.
Boarding is not about efficiency. It is about creating 'priority' or other reasons that allow airlines to charge for 'better' seats. They create value out of passenger's desires to board sooner.
And when you are higher up on the frequent flyer roster there are fewer ways to reward you that don't cost the airline money. Allowing earlier boarding does not have a cost - someone will board at any given time slot. May as well 'reward' some people.
We all have assigned seats by boarding time. People like to board early so they can get overhead space for their carry-on luggage. I love it when airlines offer to gate check carry-on luggage for free. Then I relax in the gate area until the last passengers board. I skip the herd pressing forward until their boarding group is called. I don't have to sit there and watch people load the overhead or get in and out to allow the window passenger into the row. It is much more relaxing to board last, especially if the flight is the one to home. Gate checking is more risky on the outbound flight.
And when you are higher up on the frequent flyer roster there are fewer ways to reward you that don't cost the airline money. Allowing earlier boarding does not have a cost - someone will board at any given time slot. May as well 'reward' some people.
We all have assigned seats by boarding time. People like to board early so they can get overhead space for their carry-on luggage. I love it when airlines offer to gate check carry-on luggage for free. Then I relax in the gate area until the last passengers board. I skip the herd pressing forward until their boarding group is called. I don't have to sit there and watch people load the overhead or get in and out to allow the window passenger into the row. It is much more relaxing to board last, especially if the flight is the one to home. Gate checking is more risky on the outbound flight.
Me too. Works great. People are sheep.
Or cattle?
I like to board late as well-I enjoy seeing the faces of my row mates when they realize that my window seat will be occupied after all!
Why is gate checking risky on outbound flights? I figure I have delivered my carry-on to the plane itself, and if I'm with you, and we are the last to board, my luggage is on top and will be the first to be unloaded into the first trolley at the destination.
You do realize that for other people, that may be the flight home.
You do realize that for other people, that may be the flight home.
They gate check to your final destination so if you have connecting flights they can lose the baggage.
Yes....on the bottom of all the other luggage that comes after. Sometimes it works but not always.
That's what I "figure" but regardless, my bag always shows up. Delta has never lost my luggage on outbound, inbound, of flights with multiple layovers in over 35 years of flying them. So, I don't worry about it.
