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A few weeks ago, I wrote about a new priority boarding system to be introduced by British Airways on 12 December. The British press were rather more scathing – although this might be based more on the easy, sensational headline than a rational analysis of the new boarding system.
Once I sorted out my snow-impacted flight, I flew twice on British Airways after the supposed implementation of the new rules. So, what was my experience?
As a reminder, short-haul flights are supposed to be boarded according to the following priority system:
- Group 1 = BA Executive Club Gold, Oneworld Emerald, and Club Europe passengers
- Group 2 = BA Executive Club Silver and Oneworld Sapphire passengers
- Group 3 = BA Executive Club Bronze and Oneworld Ruby passengers
- Group 4 = No status, Economy Class passengers on “Economy Plus” fares
- Group 5 = No status, Economy Class “Basic” fare passengers (i.e. Hand Baggage Only)
Flight One – Amsterdam to London Gatwick (12 December)
Even though my Group number (1) was supposed to be printed on the boarding pass, I couldn’t see it.
At our gate, there appeared to be two boarding queues. However, the screen above the supposed “priority queue” still showed Club Europe, BA Gold, Silver and Bronze. (I really need to get my phone out more often and photograph these things…) So, no change there…
When boarding commenced, the call went out for Club Europe and BAEC Gold members (and Oneworld Emerald). There was a token effort by gate staff to clear a path for those who had been called to board. But no mention of “Group 1” passengers.
Since the flight was completely full due to the weather-related cancellations, I didn’t wait to see how boarding continued, and I rushed on-board to grab the overhead bin space for my carry-ons.
Flight Two – London Gatwick to Barcelona (14 December)
Again, still no Group number printed on the boarding pass…
At the gate, I couldn’t find any sign of a priority queue. However passengers had clearly self-sorted themselves into a regular queue and a few people milling about to the side, expecting to be called first. (I’ve found that Spaniards love a queue just as much as the English, but only at airports when waiting to board! You can find queues at a Vueling or Ryanair gate 30-45 minutes before boarding commences.)
When boarding commenced, staff called for Club Europe passengers as well as BA Gold and Silver members (Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire). Oops… somebody didn’t read the memo – although at least Bronze wasn’t called at the same time.
Again, self-interest took priority over journalistic curiosity, but with the simultaneous call for Gold and Silver I knew the new system wasn’t being followed…
Conclusion
Although two flights is hardly a large sample size, it was clear to me that the new priority boarding system has yet to be implemented. I couldn’t really say whether that is due to the bruising BA took in the press or (more likely) problems with the IT implementation.
How about you? Have you flown with British Airways in the last couple of days? Has the new system been implemented at Heathrow? Leave us a comment below if you have…
It looks like this has been adopted by Finnair as well, perhaps being a Oneworld partner of BA. Flights to Helsinki from Heathrow on 8th Dec 2017 and from Helsinki to Heathrow on 11th Dec, both had Group 1 printed on my boarding pass.
It did work at Heathrow as I was among the first few to board, however in Helsinki it was chaos and free for all boarding!
Flew MAN-LHR-VIE-LHR-MAN 10 days ago. No group info on boarding passes. Club Europe, BA Gold, silver, bronze for priority on all legs. So new priority not enforced at all. Maybe they do it for Long haul?
I would imagine there has simply been a delay for some reason. There was no formal announcement after all.
But it would be great to have more data points from recent BA flyers.
I flew from LGW to JER on 12 December, the 1st day of implementation I believe, and there was a group number quoted on my mobile phone BA App boarding pass. As I was travelling Club (using Avios) and a silver card exec member and planned to leave the lounge as late as possible the boarding process wasn’t a major concern, but I did note that I has been allocated group 2 – which if travelling in Euro traveller as a silver card holder would be correct, but as travelling Club surely should have said group 1. As I was one of the last few to board, with the gate area already cleared of passengers I couldn’t tell you if it worked. However, I do believe Alex Cruz is killing the image of this airline and know on the very busy JER / LGW route Easy jet have taken a much larger share of traffic since the introduction of pay on board in Euro traveller, and be interesting to see if this new boarding operation makes a further dent in BA traffic on this route
I have just flown out and back to Dubai and as a grunt bronze level I should be zone 3 but as soon as the first announcement is made most passengers get up and there was no effort to bring people forward in their zones. As a bronze in 3 that leaves you at the back, sort of, as the forgotten bronze level that BA seems to ignore.