Swiss introduces new boarding principle in the case of some flights

The Lufthansa implements a new boarding system. Their daughter Swiss introduces the new Boarding but only on a few flights for the outer stations.

In principle, be divided between the passengers in the future, then, whether you have booked a seat by the window, in the middle of the seat row or on the aisle. In the case of American airlines, Air France or British Airways, the order of Boarding is a long time "Window-Middle-Aisle", affectionately known as "Wilma" for short.

The group wants to introduce the new concept starting on Thursday on Europe-flights of its network companies Lufthansa and Austrian over the Winter. Swiss customers would be boarding, however, for the time being, only about 20 European stations in accordance with the window-middle-aisle principle, said a spokesman for the news Agency AWP. At the airports of Zurich and Geneva, the principle will not be introduced due to local circumstances, the front hand.

The Lufthansa promises of "Wilma", a valuable saving of time when Boarding. "Two minutes don't sound to much, but are already around ten percent of the Boarding process," says Vicky Scherber of the Lufthansa Group, which is working since a good year in the new System. By the way, should be minimized with the new method, the stressful conflicts arising from the scramble for the proper Seating and sufficient space for hand Luggage.

Five Boarding groups

On the little plane already complex on-Board card, the Lufthansa companies in addition to the departure Gate and seat number will add one more section, namely, the Boarding groups 1 to 5. Unchanged in may, needy families with small children and aid or the mobility impaired boarding, says Scherber, the Lufthansa for passenger and baggage processes responsible.

Then the privileged regular customers (senators, Hons) as well as passengers with expensive Business - or Ecoflex-Tickets come in groups 1 and 2, regardless of the seat position. Group 3 says, then the Economy passengers with a window seat, group 4, the middle, and finally, the 5 people on the aisle seats. These places are particularly popular with tall people.

families, couples and groups would not be separated for Boarding but, assured by the Lufthansa expert Scherber. The Software will ensure that passengers in the same Boarding group would come and then also jointly could get. At least this Problem, it was under the previous System, where the passengers staggered by rows of seats were left on the plane.

skepticism among passengers

In the Internet forums many experienced travellers show little to be optimistic that the new boarding procedure much is to make a positive change. The actual reason for the congestion in the corridor you see in the tight space in the Luggage shells above the seats, the "Bins". Since then, the Airlines for each piece of checked baggage charge additional fees, is there enough space on a fully occupied medium-haul flight for only the utensils, a good half of the approximately 200 passengers.

another Problem: Many passengers are at the beginning of the boarding, not at the Gate, but the rush to switching at the last minute to the plane. Even with the best Voreinteilung, therefore, should not prevent that also at the very end of the process, passengers with window seats in the cabin.

Who comes last, then often problems to find a gap. In case of doubt, the baggage travels in the cargo compartment. "As long as you are not limited to finally the hand Luggage to a lot of in the Bins of space, will also take advantage of the most sophisticated Boarding process", ecial, for example, a frequent flyer from Brussels.

"of Course, we go in the course of the conversion, including the issue of hand Luggage," says Scherber. There is now significantly more checks, and also reinforced calls, the bags and rolling suitcases, but shortly before departure, on a voluntary and free-of-charge to make.

But in the end, a lot of people keep their things with him, even to save at the destination airport. With the new Boarding process this bill for people who like to sit on the aisle goes up, probably less. (fal/sda)

Created: 05.11.2019, 09:46 PM