Qantas Rolls Out New Boarding Process to Improve Efficiency
Qantas is revolutionising its boarding process for domestic flights, introducing a system aimed at reducing the time passengers spend lining up at the gate. Dubbed Group Boarding, this new approach is set to streamline boarding at four of Australia’s largest airports: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
The concept of Group Boarding, widely adopted by international airlines, is making its debut in Australia through Qantas. This initiative follows a series of successful trials in the aforementioned cities, which demonstrated the system's effectiveness in ensuring timely departures.
Under the Group Boarding system, passengers will be organized into six distinct groups based on cabin class, Frequent Flyer status, and seat location within the aircraft. This method is designed to prevent the chaotic rush of all passengers boarding simultaneously, instead allowing for a more orderly and efficient process. Signage and announcements at the gate will inform passengers when it is their turn to board.
The rollout of Group Boarding begins today at Brisbane Airport, followed by Perth, Melbourne, and finally Sydney. Initially, this process will be implemented for domestic flights operated by Qantas’ Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic, emphasized that this change marks the most significant update to the airline’s boarding procedures in a decade. “We’re continuing to look for ways to respond to pain points and improve the travel experience for our customers,” Svensson stated. He highlighted that minimizing the time passengers spend waiting to board and ensuring they can get settled quickly are key priorities. Additionally, the new process aims to enhance on-time departures, a crucial factor for customer satisfaction.
Starting from today, customers flying out of Brisbane will experience the new system, with Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney following suit in the coming weeks. Passengers will see their boarding group displayed on their boarding passes and will receive notifications through the Qantas App and other communication channels if Group Boarding is applicable to their flight. At the gate, an announcement will signal when each group should board, and the boarding pass scanner will only permit boarding for the invited group.
The focus on Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 aircraft, which constitute a significant portion of Qantas’ domestic operations, is strategic. These larger aircraft present the most significant opportunities for reducing boarding times. Qantas plans to monitor the process and refine it before considering expansion to other aircraft types and airports.
By adopting Group Boarding, Qantas aims to enhance the passenger experience by reducing waiting times and improving overall efficiency, aligning with global best practices in the aviation industry.
