Priority boarding on QantasLink flights

[Mattg]

Does Qantas still offer priority boarding on QantasLink flights?

I've found that priority boarding has generally worked well with Qantas over the past little while, but yesterday it was not offered at all on a QantasLink 717 flight ex CBR. There was no PB signage and only one boarding lane anyway (the second lane was roped off). The flight was almost full so it would have been appreciated.

Has something changed recently or did this benefit never apply on QantasLink?

 

[flyingfan]

Can’t remember if it was QantasLink but ex CBR I wasn’t happy with their ‘new boarding procedure,’ which we had to strictly follow, where they said only rows 15 onward first through the one lane (no priority anywhere). I obediently waited as pretty much everyone joined the queue and got on board. By the time they called ‘all remaining passengers,’ I literally was in the last half dozen to board. Clearly no enforcement of whether pax really were beyond row 15.

Fortunately there was still locker space above. And I suppose it meant I could stretch my legs a bit longer (at the expense of lounge time, as I prefer to be one of the first to board).

 

[Matt_01]

Fortunately there was still locker space above. And I suppose it meant I could stretch my legs a bit longer (at the expense of lounge time, as I prefer to be one of the first to board).

To your first sentence that must have been a surprise maybe, just maybe those in R15 and beyond have learnt to take their bag with them to the back of the plane rather than leave them above rows 4-8 and continue rearwards. As another P1 I also prefer to board early, mainly for previous said reasons.

 

[RooFlyer]

Has something changed recently or did this benefit never apply on QantasLink?

In 2019, there was PB on QantasLink flights out of Hobart (with the usual mix of properly enforced or not) , although HBA was never an 'advertised' PB port.

 

[jakeseven7]

I don’t believe on turbo prop QFLink services I’ve seen it....? Not that you need it with premium hand luggage service anyway.

On the 717 jet services I’m flying so much every flight blurs into the other these days and QF premium boarding has been very good lately in general - I honestly can’t remember if that included a few 717 flights....

Looking ahead into my flying schedule, I can see a few 717 flights coming up INTO Tas so will try and pay attention!

 

[zig]

It has been 12 months since I flew QantasLink, but I don't recall that PB was ever utilised. With the planes generally being smaller I think there was just one general boarding call made.

 

[jb747]

Perhaps it could be argued that priority boarding slows overall boarding down by creating multiple road blocks. Strict boarding from the rear first. Offload any luggage that people leave on their walk down the aisle. Or properly restrict the size, so that you don’t run out of space. And that way, the important people will be able to get off first.

 

[Pushka]

I’ve been on 2 flights Adl to Syd a week ago and priority boarding seems to have vanished.

 

[kookaburra75]

Can’t remember if it was QantasLink but ex CBR I wasn’t happy with their ‘new boarding procedure,’ which we had to strictly follow, where they said only rows 15 onward first through the one lane (no priority anywhere). I obediently waited as pretty much everyone joined the queue and got on board. By the time they called ‘all remaining passengers,’ I literally was in the last half dozen to board. Clearly no enforcement of whether pax really were beyond row 15.

That's been my experience too, flying out of Canberra. It starts off very orderly with those in row 15 and beyond, but as soon as there is a hint of a queue, everyone else rushes to be in it - may be that's just a Canberra thing. The past few times, by the time I head off from the lounge when the boarding announcement is made, the boarding has started and most people are onboard. That's also been my experience in Brisbane as well, when heading back to Canberra.

Boarding on the Dash 8's - everything is very democratic and equal, and we all take our place in the queue - I've never seen any attempt at Priority Boarding. I guess if you're flying on a Dash 8 you leave all sense of entitlement behind. If they did want to try it, for the times they leave from Gates 1b/C in Sydney, they would need a one bus for the WP's etc, and another following along behind with the rest. I know at some international airports where they do the bus transfers, they do have separate buses for F, J & Y.

 

[serfty]

Canberra? Maybe there they should board the half dozen or so PAX who are not eligible for PB first ...

 

[Muppet501st]

Ive taken a lot of QF Link flights over the last 6 months, 99% on Dash8s, and nearly all have boarded, by the last few rows first, usually calling 5 rows at a time,

But yesterday, priority boarding was called first. I do note, that the gate agent wasnt a QF employee, ROK-MKY

 

[Franky]

That's been my experience too, flying out of Canberra. It starts off very orderly with those in row 15 and beyond, but as soon as there is a hint of a queue, everyone else rushes to be in it - may be that's just a Canberra thing. The past few times, by the time I head off from the lounge when the boarding announcement is made, the boarding has started and most people are onboard. That's also been my experience in Brisbane as well, when heading back to Canberra.

Boarding on the Dash 8's - even thing is very democratic and equal, and we all take our place in the queue - I've never seen any attempt at Priority Boarding. I guess if you're flying on a Dash 8 you leave all sense of entitlement behind. If they did want to try it, for the times they leave from Gates 1b/C in Sydney, they would need a one bus for the WP's etc, and another following along behind with the rest. I know at some international airports where they do the bus transfers, they do have separate buses for F, J & Y.

Kookaburra - I can assure you it is not just a 'Canberra' thing...

 

[Danger]

Is it really necessary to have a separate thread on priority boarding for QantasLink? Surely the existing QF priority boarding thread is sufficient.

 

[Mattg]

Had two more QantasLink flights today. Not offered at all on a Dash 8 service ex ABX, but was offered on a 717 ex SYD. So, I'm still confused.

Is it really necessary to have a separate thread on priority boarding for QantasLink? Surely the existing QF priority boarding thread is sufficient.

I take your point. I wasn't sure whether it was worth reopening a thread which is now a year old for a question which I felt was not entirely the same as the topic of that thread.

 

[RooFlyer]

PB offered on Qantaslink B717 HBA-MEL yesterday, in fact both lanes were called for priority/premium.

 

[drron]

I had 2 QF Link flights on Friday.First was out of MCY and for the first time I have seen they called for J paxs and elites first.But general line started being processed after the first 2 priority pax.I was just walking up to the lines at that time.15 in priority queue,2 in general queue.I went with the 2.
Second flight was out of SYD.PB called but no one moved so i got up and walked on first.Just to make a point I walked down the left side.

 

[Mattg]

Well no priority boarding was offered ex CBR yesterday, but this time it was a QF mainline flight. So, I'm still confused!

 

[RooFlyer]

Well no priority boarding was offered ex CBR yesterday, but this time it was a QF mainline flight. So, I'm still confused!

Is CBR one of the’official’ PB locations? ( The list put out pre COVID). HBA wasn’t on the list but has been doing PB ever since, anyway.

And PB done on QantasLink B717 today, ex MEL, bound for HBA.

 

[sudoer]

PB was correctly followed on a SYD-CBR QLink 717 flight last Thursday.

Yes, almost everyone waiting at the gate lounge was eligible.

 

[Mattg]

Is CBR one of the’official’ PB locations? ( The list put out pre COVID). HBA wasn’t on the list but has been doing PB ever since, anyway.

And PB done on QantasLink B717 today, ex MEL, bound for HBA.

Sure is.

From an article in 2019:

The new priority boarding system will be rolled out from next week at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. Qantas intends to roll out the changes to all domestic airports in 2020.