SYDNEY- In April of last year, Qantas (QF) began trialing the use of boarding groups on a select number of domestic flights, with plans to implement this system across Australia by October 2023. However, this rollout has been postponed by eight months, now set for June 25th, 2024.
The new boarding process will utilize numbered groups, a method commonly used in Europe and North America but not yet adopted in Australia. Qantas will be the first airline in the country to implement this system.
Photo: QantasQantas New Boarding Process
According to Qantas, this new boarding method is expected to save between one and three minutes per flight, reduce congestion, and better recognize loyal customers.
Qantas’ current domestic boarding approach has faced regular criticism and is widely seen as needing an overhaul. The existing system has just two groups: one for priority boarding and one for general boarding.
This system often fails due to poor enforcement by gate agents, particularly with the priority line, which is frequently merged with general boarding, thus offering no real benefit to loyal Qantas customers.
Photo: QantasBoarding in Groups
Instead of everyone queuing up simultaneously, passengers will be assigned a numbered group and notified when it’s their board turn. This number will be displayed on their boarding pass, reported FlightHacks.
To streamline the process, passengers will receive SMS and Qantas app notifications when their group is called, with digital signage indicating the current boarding group. Further, a notable feature is the automatic blocking of groups not yet called. If a passenger tries to board before their group is open, the boarding pass scanner will alert them and deny boarding, ensuring proper management.
The new group-based system will divide domestic Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 jets into five zones, across six boarding groups:
- Priority 1: Business passengers, Chairmans Lounge, and Qantas Platinum or Oneworld Emerald members
- Priority 2: Qantas Gold and Oneworld Sapphire members
- Group 3: Rear quarter of the economy cabin
- Group 4: Third quarter of the economy cabin
- Group 5: Second quarter of the economy cabin
- Group 6: Front quarter of the economy cabin
Photo: FlightHacksHow it will Work?
When boarding through the forward door only, Qantas will follow this sequence:
- Priority 1
- Priority 2
- Group 3
- Group 4
- Group 5
- Group 6
However, when boarding through both the forward and rear doors, Qantas will combine economy groups as follows:
- Priority 1
- Priority 2
- Groups 4 & 5
- Groups 3 & 6
Beginning with domestic flights in Qantas’ four busiest cities, the new boarding process will be progressively rolled out in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney throughout June 2024.
Initially, QantasLink flights will not be included; the new system will apply exclusively to domestic Qantas flights operated by Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
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