Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[dfcatch]

Really - given that BA (for domestic) and AA (new signs were introduced only in the past few years I think) only introduced this relatively recently - it hasn't been a default position in all OW airlines other than QF.

CX implement it as all flights are international so there is no comparison there.

AY didn't have it ex-HEL when I flew through there.

RJ didn't have it at AMM for an INTERNATIONAL flight.

I have only flown int'l on JL so I can't compare the domestic experience for JL.

IME in the last few years with BA (admittedly it was Int not Domestic but included Europe), AA (for as many years as I can remember, I know I've used it since becoming OWR in 2007), CX, AC, NZ, UA, and AS - all had what we would call "Priority Boarding" - ie. I can board at anytime via a dedicated line (not just advance boarding).

I take your previous point regarding the "strict interpretation" of what the wording may suggest. But IMHO - all the above airlines that I've flown, including DJ and JQi now, as well as QFi - all understand and implement Priority Boarding as above.

My point is simply that I don't consider it a defence for QF to say "well - we're meeting our OW obligations", as personally I don't interpret it any other way than the examples above.

Once again - IMHO - if QF don't want to do it, then I'm ok with that - just "enhance" the benefit. But the current situation is like being "half-pregnant"...... And we all know how successful that is

 

[Heleigh]

Really - given that BA (for domestic) and AA (new signs were introduced only in the past few years I think) only introduced this relatively recently - it hasn't been a default position in all OW airlines other than QF.

CX implement it as all flights are international so there is no comparison there.

AY didn't have it ex-HEL when I flew through there.

RJ didn't have it at AMM for an INTERNATIONAL flight.

I have only flown int'l on JL so I can't compare the domestic experience for JL.

AY did have in June when I visited (HEL - LHR) 1 PB and 2 lanes for rest

 

[simongr]

For the record I agree that this is what OW should describe the benefit as - BayC should be "Dedicated boarding lanes" - even priority boarding is open to interpretation (priority generally means something like first or express so could swing both ways still).

 

[dfcatch]

For the record I agree that this is what OW should describe the benefit as - BayC should be "Dedicated boarding lanes" - even priority boarding is open to interpretation (priority generally means something like first or express so could swing both ways still).

Yes - would remove the ambiguity for sure.

IMHO - I still believe there is some internal power struggle between individuals at QF over this issue - it's the only rational explanation for this very strange situation where it's not in, but it's not out.

Even the federal public service couldn't come up with a stuff around like this

 

[Danger]

Yesteday on a 767 SYD-PER, the initial boarding call was for those requiring assistance as well s Platinum, Gold, OWE, OWS and Business. So, again, they've thrown Gold into the mix and, again, it was a case of lip service as there were no checkling of boarding passes to determine who was actually 'jumping the queue'.

Last night's 776 PER-MEL, despite dual boarding lanes, was much the same. The announcement was boarding by rows with J, WP, SG, OWE and OWS "can board at their leisure". I lined up straight away and, once again, my oneworld Ruby (AA) boarding pass raised no eyebrows, no rebuke from the gate agent, no 'I'm sorry sir, we're boarding OWE and OWS only at this time.'

Lip service. Pathetic.

Nonetheless, it would seem that this is how QF will implement priority boarding: by rows, with J, WP, SG, OWE and OWS invited to "board at their leisure". This is not priority boarding.

 

[pshepvic]

Virgin Australia now actually provide both Priority Boarding AND Boarding at Convenience: Business Class travel on Virgin Australia flights | Virgin Australia

At the departure gate Business Class Guests are invited to board the aircraft first, or at their leisure. When departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth domestic airports Business Class Guests may take advantage of a dedicated Priority Boarding lane (available at most gates).

Has anyone from Qantas even looked at their website? (Let alone been into one of the Virgin terminals?!)

 

[LiamR]

Virgin Australia now actually provide both Priority Boarding AND Boarding at Convenience: Business Class travel on Virgin Australia flights | Virgin Australia



Has anyone from Qantas even looked at their website? (Let alone been into one of the Virgin terminals?!)

I thought that was always the case? Maybe it's just at OOL...

Announcement boarding will commence in 10mins
Announcement boarding will commence in 5 mins, but PE/J, Golds/Plats, UMs and those that need special assistance can board now.
General boarding call.

 

[pshepvic]

I thought that was always the case? Maybe it's just at OOL...

Announcement boarding will commence in 10mins
Announcement boarding will commence in 5 mins, but PE/J, Golds/Plats, UMs and those that need special assistance can board now.
General boarding call.

I'm just being a bit of a smart a***!

And I think DJ are being a little cheeky here too - they manage to rub in the fact they have priority lanes AND board at leisure (ie. convenience) - seems like a dig at QF to me, otherwise they'd just call it priority boarding like the rest of the world does

 

[Moopere]

And I think DJ are being a little cheeky here too - they manage to rub in the fact they have priority lanes AND board at leisure (ie. convenience) - seems like a dig at QF to me, otherwise they'd just call it priority boarding like the rest of the world does

Yes, I agree. I noticed that they specifically mention priority boarding in their feel good tv ads as well - a blatant jab at QF who just can't seem to sort themselves out.

 

[LiamR]

Yes, I agree. I noticed that they specifically mention priority boarding in their feel good tv ads as well - a blatant jab at QF who just can't seem to sort themselves out.

In the latest Velocity one, I noticed that he looked at his ticket, and went said "oh" in a negative way that it looked to be as if it were a Qantas eTicket.

 

[TonyHancock]

Hi everyone,

I promised that as soon as I had a concrete update, I would share it with you all. To be honest, I do not think it is what you are looking for but we are listening to all the issues and it is a start.

In Sydney over the next few weeks we wil be trying out a number of different priority boarding options to see which works best (without getting into all the detail, it is not quite as easy as just putting up a sign). After this we are looking at rolling out to all other airports ASAP.

As you all seem to travel quite a bit, do let me know if you have any feedback.

Cheers,
Red Roo

Hi Red Roo,

Is there any update on the trials and any firm dates for implementing priority boarding?

Many Thanks

TH

 

[niemann]

I'm not sure if this has been stated before, but one of the problems QF has/will have with priority boarding is the huge numbers of people entitled to it on busy business flights. Won't make much difference if you have 100 platinums/golds all lining up at once! This is where DJ have the edge - for the time being, until/unless they start getting the same premium traffic. Same goes for 'priority bags'. A sensible system would be for the system to decide, based on loads, which tiers to invite up first. Not many platinums/golds, invite them all up, lots of platinums: just them first. Especially with seats being pre-allocated (unlike on a Southwest for instance I think), early boarding is not much a value prop for serious frequent flyers - just a status thing, which most platinums are well and truly beyond. The only real benefit I can see in early boarding is getting to the overhead lockers first, as most of the platinums/golds are in the lounge and are happy to stay there and board last. Red Roo, I wouldn't get too worked up about putting it in, the only thing I'd say is if QF are going to do it, then go the whole hog: none of this 'pre-boarding' then no rejection of ineligible pax at the BP readers which is what happens now - it just looks a bit silly.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'm not sure if this has been stated before, but one of the problems QF has/will have with priority boarding is the huge numbers of people entitled to it on busy business flights. Won't make much difference if you have 100 platinums/golds all lining up at once! This is where DJ have the edge - for the time being, until/unless they start getting the same premium traffic. Same goes for 'priority bags'. A sensible system would be for the system to decide, based on loads, which tiers to invite up first. Not many platinums/golds, invite them all up, lots of platinums: just them first. Especially with seats being pre-allocated (unlike on a Southwest for instance I think), early boarding is not much a value prop for serious frequent flyers - just a status thing, which most platinums are well and truly beyond. The only real benefit I can see in early boarding is getting to the overhead lockers first, as most of the platinums/golds are in the lounge and are happy to stay there and board last. Red Roo, I wouldn't get too worked up about putting it in, the only thing I'd say is if QF are going to do it, then go the whole hog: none of this 'pre-boarding' then no rejection of ineligible pax at the BP readers which is what happens now - it just looks a bit silly.

It is not a case of "putting it in". Priority boarding on domestic flights is a published benefit for WP's. It is a case of delivering what is advertised. Priority boarding is something of value for me, I don't want to have to queue up behind 200 people to board, and I do want to be able to find room in the overhead locker.

 

[dfcatch]

I'm not sure if this has been stated before, but one of the problems QF has/will have with priority boarding is the huge numbers of people entitled to it on busy business flights. Won't make much difference if you have 100 platinums/golds all lining up at once! This is where DJ have the edge - for the time being, until/unless they start getting the same premium traffic. Same goes for 'priority bags'. A sensible system would be for the system to decide, based on loads, which tiers to invite up first. Not many platinums/golds, invite them all up, lots of platinums: just them first. Especially with seats being pre-allocated (unlike on a Southwest for instance I think), early boarding is not much a value prop for serious frequent flyers - just a status thing, which most platinums are well and truly beyond. The only real benefit I can see in early boarding is getting to the overhead lockers first, as most of the platinums/golds are in the lounge and are happy to stay there and board last. Red Roo, I wouldn't get too worked up about putting it in, the only thing I'd say is if QF are going to do it, then go the whole hog: none of this 'pre-boarding' then no rejection of ineligible pax at the BP readers which is what happens now - it just looks a bit silly.

You are completely missing the point that we're not reinventing the wheel here.

Many other airlines have the same situation (where on some routes there are large proportions of elites), and yet they are able to implement priority boarding just fine.

AA is an excellent example of this.

 

[Canny man]

They priority boarded at Gate 15 Perth yesterday. WP's and Business to the left. Seemed to work just fine, but I was at the front of the queue so not sure if it worked all the time.

 

[samiam]

They priority boarded at Gate 15 Perth yesterday. WP's and Business to the left. Seemed to work just fine, but I was at the front of the queue so not sure if it worked all the time.

From your position, was it easy to estimate the number of WP's & Business pax to the left, vs. others on the right?

Had they bothered to use the LED signs above the glass doors (they usually say Business/Economy on the left and Economy on the Right)?

 

[Canny man]

From your position, was it easy to estimate the number of WP's & Business pax to the left, vs. others on the right?

Had they bothered to use the LED signs above the glass doors (they usually say Business/Economy on the left and Economy on the Right)?

Hard to say. There seemed a fair few in the priority queue. I don't think the signposting was very effective and they didn't have the electronic signing above the gate.

 

[Heleigh]

I'm not sure if this has been stated before, but one of the problems QF has/will have with priority boarding is the huge numbers of people entitled to it on busy business flights. Won't make much difference if you have 100 platinums/golds all lining up at once! This is where DJ have the edge - for the time being, until/unless they start getting the same premium traffic. Same goes for 'priority bags'. A sensible system would be for the system to decide, based on loads, which tiers to invite up first. Not many platinums/golds, invite them all up, lots of platinums: just them first. Especially with seats being pre-allocated (unlike on a Southwest for instance I think), early boarding is not much a value prop for serious frequent flyers - just a status thing, which most platinums are well and truly beyond. The only real benefit I can see in early boarding is getting to the overhead lockers first, as most of the platinums/golds are in the lounge and are happy to stay there and board last. Red Roo, I wouldn't get too worked up about putting it in, the only thing I'd say is if QF are going to do it, then go the whole hog: none of this 'pre-boarding' then no rejection of ineligible pax at the BP readers which is what happens now - it just looks a bit silly.

Yes niemann, there will always be the problem on some flights QF or DJ (now with status match) of too many WP/SG wanting PB.

I am one who likes to sit in the lounge before flights but also want to reach the boarding line and access flight without having to wait at the end very long line. On AA (as stated by dfcatch) is a perfect example of PB. You leave lounge walk to gate then PB section OK you may still have to wait in line but it is not at the end of another 100 or so others if no PB.

I pay for J seating and the last couple of flights I (and noticing a lot more people doing same) waited at gate before boarding call because if you want over head space you need to be on early. I try not to have checked in baggage due to delays at other end.

The "we are boarding" J/WP/SG and OW E/R/S either before or after children and disabled can board but this is ineffective if you are in lounge without the two lane entry.

 

[Canny man]

Note that in yesterday's trial in Perth, it was only J and WP (OWE) that had priority.

I was recently in Chile and the LAN 'Preferente' line was always 5 times longer than the non-priority line - which kind of defeated the purpose.

 

[Danger]

Hard to say. There seemed a fair few in the priority queue. I don't think the signposting was very effective and they didn't have the electronic signing above the gate.View attachment 4010

WOW! The fancy, expensive pull-up banners have made their way across the continent. On the upside, I do see this as a positive step. It appears an excellent example of the ability to do priority boarding using just one aerobridge (albeit two readers). Now, get rid of the pull-up banners in favour of the cost-friendly AA version and we might be onto something.