Interesting article on how airlines in the US are cutting boarding times.
Will it catch on here? Amazing that United claims savings of $1million a year by saving 5 minutes boarding time per flight.
"You may soon be able to forget the back-to-front boarding process that used to be a staple of U.S. airlines. USA TODAY reports that several big airlines –- including Delta, United, US Airways and AirTran -– are trying to speed up the boarding process by trying new methods. United and US Airways now board customers in window seats first, followed by middle seats and then the aisle. AirTran and Delta have turned to staggering boarding fliers between back and front seats to avoid a rush to one particular part of the cabin. United says its boarding is four to five minutes faster since the change, and spokeswoman Robin Urbanski estimates that saves the carrier about $1 million a year. How would that save the airline money? Faster boarding means planes can get back in the air more quickly, both reducing delays and allowing airlines to squeeze more revenue-producing flying time out of their aircraft. Southwest cites its open boarding process -– which it says allows for faster boarding –- for helping to keep its operations efficient."
Link to story
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-01-09-boarding-usat_x.htm
Will it catch on here? Amazing that United claims savings of $1million a year by saving 5 minutes boarding time per flight.
"You may soon be able to forget the back-to-front boarding process that used to be a staple of U.S. airlines. USA TODAY reports that several big airlines –- including Delta, United, US Airways and AirTran -– are trying to speed up the boarding process by trying new methods. United and US Airways now board customers in window seats first, followed by middle seats and then the aisle. AirTran and Delta have turned to staggering boarding fliers between back and front seats to avoid a rush to one particular part of the cabin. United says its boarding is four to five minutes faster since the change, and spokeswoman Robin Urbanski estimates that saves the carrier about $1 million a year. How would that save the airline money? Faster boarding means planes can get back in the air more quickly, both reducing delays and allowing airlines to squeeze more revenue-producing flying time out of their aircraft. Southwest cites its open boarding process -– which it says allows for faster boarding –- for helping to keep its operations efficient."
Link to story
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-01-09-boarding-usat_x.htm