Qantas has begun rolling out a new boarding process. The new process known as Group Boarding divides the passengers on an aircraft into groups, with each group boarding separately.
It is a process that is in use by airlines overseas, and Qantas has run trials in Australia to test it out. The trials found that the process could improve the ability of flights to depart on time.
How Will it Work?
Under Qantas Group Boarding, each passenger will be allocated to one of six boarding groups. In order to work out which group you are in, Qantas will look at which cabin you are in, your seat number, and your frequent flyer status. You will then be assigned one of six groups which will be displayed on their boarding pass.
Qantas will the make announcements for each group to board. The boarding pass scanners will only allow those who have been called to board.
Which Airports?
Qantas will start by rolling out group boarding at the following airports
- Brisbane on June 3,
- Perth on June 10,
- Melbourne on June 17, and
- Sydney on June 25.
Qantas may extend the process to other airports later, but says that they will let the process settle in first.
Which Aircraft?
To begin with, Group Boarding will apply to flights on domestic A330 and 737 services. Qantas have chosen to focus on these two aircraft while they further refine the process. Having said that, these aircraft cover the bulk of their domestic operations.
