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The nation's fifth-largest carrier has done away with row-by-row boarding in coach after discovering that planes filled up faster when passengers could simply get on when they're ready. The change knocked an average of 5 minutes to 10 minutes off boarding times, the airline said. Northwest still boards special-needs and first-class passengers first, and still uses assigned seats.
Northwest tested the new boarding procedure in several markets on different types of aircraft. "In all cases, it was faster," said spokesman Dean Breest.
It began using the new procedure May 24 in North America and June 7 in Asia. Boarding for its flights in Europe, including its Amsterdam hub, are handled by KLM and so those follow KLM's row-by-row boarding procedure, Breest said.
The change comes at a good time for Northwest. Like most other airlines, its planes are running full during the busy summer travel season, so anything that speeds up boarding will help it run it flights on-time.
WCCO-TV Minneapolis St. Paul
Having been involved with boarding processes that use the "by row" method and the "all at once" method, I can tell you the the by row method is much more expedient.
What could is saving 5-10 minutes in the boarding process, if you lose it somewhere else. The process causes the main aisle to back up with people, does not allow flight attendants to move about and help get people to the right seat and carry-ons stowed, and it eventually results in a long line up the jetway. The whole process crams people together, jostling about, and increasing tension for everyone.
Once everyone is onboard it is no longer considered part of "boarding time" because everyone is onboard. Still -- you can't close the door and push back because everyone is still standing, bags are all over the place, etc.
But - then it can be chalked up to a cabin delay, flight attendant delay, etc, because the boarding process is over.
Why don't airlines really solve the problem and schedule realistically?
Posted by: Fly Girl | June 21, 2006 10:26 AM | Permalink to Comment