Tests show fastest way to board passenger planes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14717695
“The most common way of boarding passenger planes is among the least efficient, tests have shown….
…However, an approach called the Steffen method, alternating rows in the window-middle-aisle strategy, nearly doubles boarding speed.
The approach is named after Jason Steffen, an astrophysicist at Fermi National Laboratory in Illinois, US. Dr Steffen first considered the thorny problem of plane boarding in 2008, when he found himself in a long boarding queue.
He carried out a number of computer simulations to determine a better method than the typical “rear of the plane forwards” approach, publishing the results in the Journal of Air Transport Management….
….He suggested boarding in alternate rows, window seats first, progressing from the rear forward: seats 12A, for example, followed by 10A, 8A and so on, then returning for 9A, 7A, 5A and so on, and then filling the middle and aisle seats in the same way.
The approach avoids a situation in which passengers are struggling to use the same physical space at the same time….”
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd September 2011 at 22:17
Sorry guys, but those methods don’t work here in Africa. It’s more like a stampede.:mad:
By: AlanR - 1st September 2011 at 22:54
I remember flying with Iberia back in 1982. Everyone was clamouring to be
the first on the bus, at the departure lounge door. Then they announced that
families with children would be boarding first. (no numbered seat bookings).
Luckily I was with my sister and her husband, and their young son. 🙂
By: cockerhoop - 1st September 2011 at 11:03
i am sure Ryanair “get on quick or we’ll miss our slot” is the most effective method
By: symon - 1st September 2011 at 08:55
Just another part of travel that induces stress! I have definitely been at the airport, I think boarding for a flight, where I have heard the airline request that passengers with window seats board first (regardless of row I think), so maybe it was ANZ.
People couldn’t wait till everyone got their seat before putting the stuff away, as then everyone would have to get up again to put stuff away and there wouldn’t be enough space in the isle to do so!
Perhaps airports should take advice from the LCC’s and allow airlines to board from both the front and rear of the aircraft (i.e. double up on air bridges). I know, I know, would cost too much 🙂
By: Doors4 - 1st September 2011 at 07:33
The idea might work as a computer model, but in reality to board say 35A&F, 33A&F, etc up to 1A&F, then go back to 34A&F through to 2A&F (bearing in mind you’d have to give 1A&F time to settle so that 34 could get past), then start the whole process again for the B&E seats, then again for the C&D seats couldn’t possibly be quicker.
The suggested method also assumes that passengers are all travelling alone, you can’t expect families with young children to board individually.
EDIT: Just noticed on another forum that some US carriers board those without handluggage first. I can see that working as it incentivises people not to carry handluggage (usually the cause of boarding delays) and means that those in the aisles putting bags away aren’t holding up those without bags who are just trying to get past.
By: AlanR - 31st August 2011 at 23:44
………and it is always a chaotic process because passengers always block the aisle so that they can put their hand luggage, coats and everything else that they bring with them in the overhead lockers………….
I think that annoys everyone. If only people could wait until everyone has got
to their seat, before packing stuff away.
It’s also annoying and dangerous when people start unpacking the lockers
when the aircraft is still taxiing. Despite being told to stay in their seats.
By: cloud_9 - 31st August 2011 at 22:01
The MOL method…that involves handing over £5, doesn’t it?:D:diablo:
In all seriousness though, this newer method would be particuarily useful when trying to board a single aisle aircraft (i.e. B757) when on a transatlantic flight (CO use them to/from LHR!)…and it is always a chaotic process because passengers always block the aisle so that they can put their hand luggage, coats and everything else that they bring with them in the overhead lockers, depsite the crews best efforts to ask them to move into the row where they are seated so that others can pass by and find their seats!
By: Newforest - 31st August 2011 at 21:12
The opposite would be the MOL ‘method’ I suppose. 😀
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August 31, 2011 at 8:38 pm