Exiting plane through both front & back doors

[Piping Shrike]

I haven't noticed this discussed here. (Acknowledging that I might have missed it).

What are peoples thoughts about using the rear door as well as the front door to exit the plane?

For those up the back or even the middle of the plane it seems to take an eternity to leave the plane sometimes.
Its particularly annoying when travelling without baggage as it seems to delay you just enough to make the queue for hire cars/taxis etc really long.

I know Virgin used to do it (not sure if they still do) and its the biggest advantage Virgin had over Qantas, at least in my opinion.

 

[nuxie1]

Doesn't really work at airports with jetbridges though. I've been to a few regional airports on QantasLink that have front and back stairs.

Strange you'd think that is the biggest advantage of Virgin over Qantas.. Planes still leave at the same time, and jetbridges are a lot quicker (usually) than stairs.

 

[medhead]

Virgin still does this. It probably makes unloading quicker. But not for anyone with mobility issues, which can also be an issue when loading with said people using the aerobridge risking having to go against the flow on board.


Sent from the Throne

 

[The Rok]

Qantas do it at Regional Ports on the 737.

 

[here2go]

When I land I want to get off the plane ASAP, so weather permitting I want to get off the plane through the closest door. When you are in economy the less time spent on the plane the better. Annoys me that at major ports Qantas doesn't let you exit via rear stairs, when all that is happening is that airline staff are having a chinwag with ground crew about the footy.

 

[TheInsider]

when all that is happening is that airline staff are having a chinwag with ground crew about the footy.

Qantas staff that are assigned domestic arrivals are only there to open up the door and then head on to the next arrival. International flights it's a different story where the staff member will wait until all passengers have disembarked.

 

[drron]

Having a home airport of MCY means I am very used to the concept of exiting via the rear doors.I still haven't been able to convince mrsdrron that if you are in the last row you get off just as quickly as paying an extra $12 to be near the front.
And yes the last rows are where they put UMs but I have never been asked to move yet.

 

[Deleted member]

Doesn't really work at airports with jetbridges though. I've been to a few regional airports on QantasLink that have front and back stairs.

Strange you'd think that is the biggest advantage of Virgin over Qantas.. Planes still leave at the same time, and jetbridges are a lot quicker (usually) than stairs.

That's funny, I am sure I have used air bridges ( overseas) with two door access.
I do wonder myself how long it might take for Australia (and NZ) to join the 21st century and have this technology
How do they cope with the A380?


It is I, Leclerc !

 

[Carlous Moochous]

I think it also has a bit to do with image as to why Qantas don't do it at major ports. The stairs front and back is synonymous with the LCC / budget airline model, whereas Qantas sits in the legacy / premium end. Virgin still use it and it works for them but I can't see QF adopting it. It would require more staff, and a less premium image.

Virgin could extend the priority boarding one step further with Plat, Gold, Business front door, everyone else out back - but that could be taking it a little far. Lol.

 

[Ewing]

Virgin could extend the priority boarding one step further with Plat, Gold, Business front door, everyone else out back - but that could be taking it a little far. Lol.

No, it needs to be all or none unless you have exclusive seating zones and ensure that there is absolutely zero overlap.

I flew on a certain orange carrier once (the only airline servicing the route) who decided to board everyone through the rear door. About 25% through boarding they decide to start loading through the front door as well. We all met in the middle and it was simply carnage - of course I boarded through the rear door and had to get to 1A through this mess.

 

[robbie1984]

I' was on VA7 in J and they used one of the gates at the far end of the international terminal that had dual aerobridges. Mind you one was just for Business Class so the effect on the boarding probably wasn't sped up all that much.

 

[elbarto]

Amsterdam has over wing gates

Surinam Airways 747-300 PZ-TCM | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Whether it's faster to load/unload using front & back doors, it certainly makes priority boarding (on Virgin) feel like it's working.

Very rarely is there ever a line in the aero bridge and this makes the process feel more private and successful.

 

[Carlous Moochous]

Amsterdam has over wing gates

Surinam Airways 747-300 PZ-TCM | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

That looks expensive, and kinda ugly too... But if it was pissing down with rain, then yeah it would be nice..

 

[snoophound]

Virgin domestic is great
My tip is a busy commuter route ,book in a seat at the rear of the plane.You are off first ,only downside is if its wet.Now they hold debarcation up so business are fully out,you can normally beat them up the stairs and out.Also you dont get caught in the gold and platinums resuiting and preening struggle at the front.

 

[medhead]

That's funny, I am sure I have used air bridges ( overseas) with two door access.
I do wonder myself how long it might take for Australia (and NZ) to join the 21st century and have this technology
How do they cope with the A380?

The A380 has 2 door access.


Sent from the Throne

 

[TheInsider]

The A380 has 2 door access.


Sent from the Throne

And 3 doors at SYD intl.

 

[codash1099]

I think it also has a bit to do with image as to why Qantas don't do it at major ports. The stairs front and back is synonymous with the LCC / budget airline model, whereas Qantas sits in the legacy / premium end. Virgin still use it and it works for them but I can't see QF adopting it. It would require more staff, and a less premium image.

Virgin could extend the priority boarding one step further with Plat, Gold, Business front door, everyone else out back - but that could be taking it a little far. Lol.

It would be handy in PER where QF 737's very rarely get a jetbridge. Wouldn't take much to run up a second set of steps and unload faster.

 

[brad330]

A few weeks ago I was on QF921 CNS-SYD and we were deylaed so the ground crew decded to board through front and rear stairs. I was in shock!

 

[Noob]

Doesn't it just make boarding more efficient and as a result turnarounds more efficient? Lack of efficiency for the sake of lack of efficiency doesn't make much sense, esspecially when there really isn't anything being added to the customer experience which outways such an extra cost. Extra minutes on the ground, especially on shuttle services like SYD-MEL add up very quickly by the end of a day.

But if it is raining that's a different story.