The VA LAX boarding lottery.

[RadioBusinessTraveller]

i had an interesting experience boarding VA2 on Sunday night at LAX.
I was with a small group (3 of us are Platinum) waiting at the boarding gate, when we were approached by a gate agent, who asked if we were travelling in business class.
We said we were Platinum, to which he said, you will need to wait (we were in economy X), because we will be boarding business class first.
We all looked at each other and wondered if this is a recent change, and possibly a further reduction of Platinum benefits.
They then called business class to board, followed by Platinum, Gold, Economy X in the same group.
I had flown on VA8 three weeks before, and was pleased that they clearly indicated that business class and platinum members would be boarded first, and everyone else was told to wait at a point designated by the ground staff. This was something a little different to the usual LAX Virgin Australia zoo like experience.
However this weeks experience makes me wonder what’s going on.
Wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience at LAX recently?

 

[Bagpuss]

I haven't this for many years.

However, what you have described is how Delta board. You have still received priority boarding as a high tier member.

As a platinum member who travels in various classes, I have no issue with business class boarding first. In fact I think it's the correct way to do it (more so when I've paid for the business class seat.)

 

[serfty]

I have only ever flown VA J or W put of LAX but ISTR J always being called first. WP often about 30 seconds later.

In what part of sequence were PE (to be) boarded?

 

[clipped_wings]

We flew LAX-SYD in 2016 (as Business Class/WP - both EXTREMELY rare occurrences). After a nice *A visit, we arrived at the gate, clutching our Hallowed J boarding passes tighter than the little kid in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

All we found was a dead-set circus of people making their own lines. Gate staff never even attempted to corral them, so we found a spot behind someone and staked our claim. We reasoned that Business has 37 seats, so it's logical to expect we could be at least 37th in the queue.

We were about 70th in line. Then, some pretty young poppet sauntered up at the last minute and trumped everyone for the front of the line. And when they called "Now Boarding" everyone just lurched forward like a pack of racehorses.

No call for Business, no call for Plats. Half the queue in front of us never even made it into the J cabin.....

Was I irked? You betcha. This is a Material World.

And I am a Material Girl.

 

[surfichris]

Experienced the same departing LAX in November (one of the infamous "no food" flights), and again in December (12th). I too was stumped and left wondering if things had changed.

In what part of sequence were PE (to be) boarded?

At the same time as Economy X, at least for my two flights.

 

[Denali]

Flew VA J last year from lax (hubby WP, me SG).

While sitting there, watching a line to the right for J, WP and SG lining up with at least 60+, said screw that (knowing there's only 30+ J seats) and as soon as boarding announced, walked up to the empty Y beeper, scanned and on our way in seconds

USA flying makes me a bit feral on boarding, especially domestic. Like that movie poster for the 300 Spartans.

For the OP, are you miffed that you were announced second and not equal first?

If I was flying PE or Y, even with status, I would expect J and F to be announced first.

 

[clipped_wings]

As soon as boarding announced, walked up to the empty Y beeper, scanned and on our way in seconds

LOL Denali, bloody brilliant! I am SO doing this in October.

Isn't it funny how a boarding gate can morph genteel sensibilities into primeval pack mentality? I mean, it's not like the plane is sliding down the runway or anything. I think I need to go back to Disneyland and remind myself what REAL lines are..........