Why airlines actually use ‘slower’ methods to board passengers before takeoff
EXPERTS have revealed why airlines actually use “slower” methods to board passengers before takeoff.
The dreaded delays while boarding can be one of the most frustrating things about flying.
Flight delays are costing airlines and passengers thousands every year – the average delay was 23 minutes.
Wizz Air was the worst major airline for flight delays from UK airports for the second year in a row, an investigation has found.
The Hungarian carrier’s UK departures were an average of 46 minutes and six seconds behind schedule in 2022, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.
But airport experts said speeding up the process is not really a priority for airlines.
According to aviation expert Zieineddine, the answer lies in their resistance to change.
He said: “When it comes to implementation, there is always resistance. It’s basically ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
Modifying the boarding process across all airports would require a huge logistical effort.
Airlines prioritise the impact of boarding method changes on their customers’ experience.
With many passengers already slamming current boarding strategies, bosses believe they might be even more resistant to a new system.
Switching to faster boarding systems could also affect an airline’s ability to offer additional paid options like first class, business class and priority seating.
However, some companies have attempted to implement a more efficient boarding.
United Airlines recently began using the WILMA system.
The ‘Wilma’ system stands for “window-middle-aisle” and lets passengers board depending on their seat position.
Those seated by a window board first, followed by those seated in the middle, and finally those on the aisle.
In more traditional systems, airlines often board passengers from the back of the plane to the front.
However, experts say the ‘Wilma’ method can save up carriers valuable minutes compared to the old system.
But there are other tested methods.
Instead, the expert proposed a different system he called the ‘Steffen method’.
Some experts believe the more effective way to board passengers in the same window, middle, aisle order – also known as ‘Steffen method’.
The technique limits how many passengers can board at one time within each group.
Those with window seats in odd-numbered rows enter before passengers with window seats in even-numbered rows.
It allows people space to place their bags and luggage into the overhead bins.
Other airlines, such as the low-budget Ryanair use a first come first serve method.
Passengers who pay extra can choose where to seat while standard seats are assigned randomly.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines use a bus-like approach in which people are assigned a place in line in a boarding group and choose their own seat as they walk down the aisle.