The Better Boarding Method Airlines Won't Use | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Boarding airplanes efficiently is a complex task due to factors such as bag stowage and seat shuffles, but a boarding order of window, middle, aisle could be slightly faster than random or back-to-front methods.

Key Insights

• ✈️ Bag stowage is the primary cause of delays during airplane boarding.
• 🤢 Random boarding with assigned seats is actually faster than organized boarding groups.
• 🙂 The window, middle, aisle boarding order can be slightly faster than other methods.
• ❓ Economic incentives and loyalty programs may influence airlines' boarding methods.
• 💯 Achieving perfect efficiency in airplane boarding is challenging due to human behavior and practical constraints.
• 👪 A modified boarding method that accommodates family and friend groups can be more efficient while still providing flexibility.
• 🛳️ Striking a balance between efficiency and passenger satisfaction is crucial for successful boarding procedures.

Transcript

[Inaudible airport announcements] [Grey sighs] What’s the fastest way to board an airplane? I mean, you can’t just throw open the gates like funneling cattle into a chute. That’s not for us. We’re primates, after all! So let’s put our monkey brains to work to tackle this queue which is what boarding groups do: Prioritize, plainly packing primates ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does bag stowage cause the most delays during boarding?

Bag stowage causes delays because each passenger must wait for the person in front of them to finish stowing their bag before they can proceed to their seat. This process is time-consuming and contributes to overall boarding time.

Q: Why do airlines use back-to-front or window-middle-aisle boarding methods?

Airlines use back-to-front or window-middle-aisle methods because they provide some structure to the boarding process and allow airlines to organize passengers into boarding groups. This can be advantageous for offering perks to first class passengers and increasing loyalty among frequent flyers.

Q: Is there a more efficient boarding order than window, middle, aisle?

Theoretically, the most efficient boarding order is a precise back-to-front arrangement with alternating rows and alternating sides. However, in the real world, this level of precision and adherence to instructions is not practical. The window, middle, aisle order offers a compromise that is slightly faster than other methods.

Q: How can the boarding process be improved for passengers with families or friends?

By implementing a modified version of the perfect boarding method, where boarding groups are organized to be all on one side of the plane in every other row, passengers with families or friends can board together. This provides some flexibility while still increasing efficiency.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bag stowage causes the most delays during boarding as each passenger must wait for the person in front of them to finish stowing their bag.

• Random boarding with assigned seats is actually faster than organizing boarding groups, as random placement increases the chances of pullaways and parallels, reducing delays.

• An improved method of boarding is window, middle, aisle, which eliminates seat shuffles and could be slightly faster than random or back-to-front methods.