Almost every time I’ve ever flown, I’ve been in the “You may board early” group, and I almost never do. Why are people in such a hurry to get on the plane and sit down in the uncomfortable seats any sooner?
I usually don’t carry a bag that goes in the overhead bins so I guess that is a factor for boarding early.
Back to front is much more efficient than front to back. Think there are better variations, don’t remember tho. Airlines just want platinum to feel special
In my 20s I was in the not boarding early club (fuck the man!). Then I hit my 30s and had to fly frequently for work. The main reason is to have my carry-on in the overhead near me. This saves me time and reduces chance of it getting lost or accidentally taken. This saves 5 to 20 mins compared to getting your carry-on checked or hours if your bag is lost. Other reasons: if I’m flying 1st class then I get the chance to have a cocktail or something before take off. There are usually not many free seats outside the gate when I get there, so if I’m trying to get some work done or if I have food with me, boarding let’s me perch down (almost) uninterrupted.
I’ve read that airlines should offer free checked large bags at the counter (again). A lot of people have carry-ons because they don’t want to pay. Reducing carry-ons would speed up boarding, so the airline saves costs, and free up more space at the airport overall.
It’s dumb that they board the people in the front of the plane first. Then they’re all in the way, putting bags away and getting situated, and blocking the aisle. If they boarded the back seats first, it would make so much more sense and the plane could be filled more efficiently
I’m like this after landings. People always stand up as soon as the plane stops, queue up in the aisles with their hand-held luggage and clothes/whatever, and then stand there waiting for 5-15 minutes until you can disembark. I normally just stay seated until the aisles clear and then get up, collect my stuff in peace and move.
And then a few minutes later you meet all of them again in the baggage carousel. Yay guys, you got to wait here so much longer than me!
I am on about 25 flights a year and am in business class fairly regularly. I can tell you I am always one of the last people on the plane. Why would I sign up to be cramped and uncomfortable for longer than I have to?!
This is how I always felt (unless I have overhead baggage to race on for), until I started traveling with children and realized what a clusterfudge the whole timing thing can be.
I personally cannot imagine wanting to board first or last or give a crap about my boarding order if the plane leaves at the same time and I have the same seat regardless of my boarding order. I definitely wouldn’t pay extra to sit in the plane sooner, instead of sitting in the airport.
To all of you who are wondering why someone might want to board early. I used to go on a lot of business trips, 10 times per month on average. When I was one of the first to board, I had at least 20 mins to actually work in my seat (reading emails, writing reports etc.) while everyone else was trying to find their seat. And during the pandemic some airlines had a rule that you could disembark row by row and it was strictly followed. So when I was landing at 8pm, all I wanted was to get home asap and every minute counted for me. Sitting in the first rows certainly helped with that (I only had carry on luggage).
I boarded late exactly one time. When I got on there was nowhere for me to put my carry on in the overhead bin, so I had to store it by my feet. I’m 6’3″, there’s not a lot of extra space by my feet. Ever since then I’m boarding the plane as soon as I’m allowed.
Oh, and I also stand up as soon as I can, I know people hate that. That’s because I’m in excruciating pain after being jammed in this tiny little seat, so much so that standing with my neck crooked awkwardly is massively more comfortable than continuing to sit.
To make sure you get overhead space! People always put their carryons up there and it fills up. As someone who only brings on large duffel bag for travel, the overhead space is like gold to me.
The only reason I try to board early is to get some space for my carryon. It somehow always gets full before everyone can put their stuff. I dont want to be the one to put my stuff 10 rows away from where I am sitting.
The better seats are usually comfortable enough that there isn’t any desire to avoid boarding. It’s mainly only the regular economy seats where boarding early feels worse, except given how anoying it can be to get in and settled it still often works out better to just get on right away.
Considering the last time I flew, pre-covid, so take it for what it’s worth, if you were in the last groups to board the plane the airline didn’t even guarantee space for your allowed overhead item.
I always board at the very end. By the time I get aboard most people are already in their seats so the aisleway is clear. I don’t sit in the airplane for long periods of time waiting for departure.
I always book an isle seat so I can stretch legs into aisleway when it’s not in use.
The only bad part is that overhead bins are usually full but I only bring aboard a small carryon bag that can go under the seat ahead of me.
Because dick heads like to put 2 carry on bags, a backpack, 3 jackets, and a purse in the overhead when the attendants have repeatedly said one item up top and one under the seat.
Getting on early means you’ll have space to put your stuff up. I’m 6’1 and don’t have enought leg room as it is. No way am I trying to share that space with my backpack because the jerks took all the space up.
Well i waited twice to board a plane and both times my seat was taken by someone else and i had to have a discussion with them to take my seat back so i do kinda understand why you would want to board early.
Almost every time I’ve ever flown, I’ve been in the “You may board early” group, and I almost never do. Why are people in such a hurry to get on the plane and sit down in the uncomfortable seats any sooner?
I usually don’t carry a bag that goes in the overhead bins so I guess that is a factor for boarding early.
Platinum members: “ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA”
Anxiety….
1. Overhead baggage space
2. Less waiting in the aisle while it’s clogged with poors putting up their bags.
CPG Grey did a [video](https://youtu.be/oAHbLRjF0vo) on optimal boarding methods
Back to front is much more efficient than front to back. Think there are better variations, don’t remember tho. Airlines just want platinum to feel special
I’m not Michael O’Leary but wouldn’t these “priority clubs” make more sense if you were given priority to LEAVE the plane before everyone else?
Obviously none of it matters if you all get onto a airport bus and join a queue at customs check behind 3 other planes-worth of people.
In my 20s I was in the not boarding early club (fuck the man!). Then I hit my 30s and had to fly frequently for work. The main reason is to have my carry-on in the overhead near me. This saves me time and reduces chance of it getting lost or accidentally taken. This saves 5 to 20 mins compared to getting your carry-on checked or hours if your bag is lost. Other reasons: if I’m flying 1st class then I get the chance to have a cocktail or something before take off. There are usually not many free seats outside the gate when I get there, so if I’m trying to get some work done or if I have food with me, boarding let’s me perch down (almost) uninterrupted.
I’ve read that airlines should offer free checked large bags at the counter (again). A lot of people have carry-ons because they don’t want to pay. Reducing carry-ons would speed up boarding, so the airline saves costs, and free up more space at the airport overall.
It’s dumb that they board the people in the front of the plane first. Then they’re all in the way, putting bags away and getting situated, and blocking the aisle. If they boarded the back seats first, it would make so much more sense and the plane could be filled more efficiently
I’m like this after landings. People always stand up as soon as the plane stops, queue up in the aisles with their hand-held luggage and clothes/whatever, and then stand there waiting for 5-15 minutes until you can disembark. I normally just stay seated until the aisles clear and then get up, collect my stuff in peace and move.
And then a few minutes later you meet all of them again in the baggage carousel. Yay guys, you got to wait here so much longer than me!
Because too many people try to carry on WAY more than necessary.
The only advantage I know of is picking your seat when flying Southwest.
I am on about 25 flights a year and am in business class fairly regularly. I can tell you I am always one of the last people on the plane. Why would I sign up to be cramped and uncomfortable for longer than I have to?!
Professional touring musician here, want to get my instrument in the overhead asap.
Always board early so you can stow carryon comfortably and not be the one that has to check luggage.
This is how I always felt (unless I have overhead baggage to race on for), until I started traveling with children and realized what a clusterfudge the whole timing thing can be.
To start drinking.
I personally cannot imagine wanting to board first or last or give a crap about my boarding order if the plane leaves at the same time and I have the same seat regardless of my boarding order. I definitely wouldn’t pay extra to sit in the plane sooner, instead of sitting in the airport.
To all of you who are wondering why someone might want to board early. I used to go on a lot of business trips, 10 times per month on average. When I was one of the first to board, I had at least 20 mins to actually work in my seat (reading emails, writing reports etc.) while everyone else was trying to find their seat. And during the pandemic some airlines had a rule that you could disembark row by row and it was strictly followed. So when I was landing at 8pm, all I wanted was to get home asap and every minute counted for me. Sitting in the first rows certainly helped with that (I only had carry on luggage).
I boarded late exactly one time. When I got on there was nowhere for me to put my carry on in the overhead bin, so I had to store it by my feet. I’m 6’3″, there’s not a lot of extra space by my feet. Ever since then I’m boarding the plane as soon as I’m allowed.
Oh, and I also stand up as soon as I can, I know people hate that. That’s because I’m in excruciating pain after being jammed in this tiny little seat, so much so that standing with my neck crooked awkwardly is massively more comfortable than continuing to sit.
What? You get better seats, less people in the way, and its easier to get your bags in. Why wouldn’t you want to get on first?
It matters for overhead space
You board early so you can get an overhead bin that’s close to your seat. And if they run out, then you have a date with the luggage carousel
Now our, ” there’s no more space for my cabin luggage” passengers club members.
To make sure you get overhead space! People always put their carryons up there and it fills up. As someone who only brings on large duffel bag for travel, the overhead space is like gold to me.
The only reason I try to board early is to get some space for my carryon. It somehow always gets full before everyone can put their stuff. I dont want to be the one to put my stuff 10 rows away from where I am sitting.
Boarding a plane to sit in a shit chair with not enough legroom for an extra 30 minutes for no reason never appealed to me.
The better seats are usually comfortable enough that there isn’t any desire to avoid boarding. It’s mainly only the regular economy seats where boarding early feels worse, except given how anoying it can be to get in and settled it still often works out better to just get on right away.
because overhead compartments aren’t reserved.
Overhead bin space
Considering the last time I flew, pre-covid, so take it for what it’s worth, if you were in the last groups to board the plane the airline didn’t even guarantee space for your allowed overhead item.
I try to be the last one on and the last one off.
Why stand in line when I can sit next to the line?
I always board at the very end. By the time I get aboard most people are already in their seats so the aisleway is clear. I don’t sit in the airplane for long periods of time waiting for departure.
I always book an isle seat so I can stretch legs into aisleway when it’s not in use.
The only bad part is that overhead bins are usually full but I only bring aboard a small carryon bag that can go under the seat ahead of me.
That’s me. I’m always last on the plane. Sit down, take off. Why you want to get on the plane first is beyond me.
Because dick heads like to put 2 carry on bags, a backpack, 3 jackets, and a purse in the overhead when the attendants have repeatedly said one item up top and one under the seat.
Getting on early means you’ll have space to put your stuff up. I’m 6’1 and don’t have enought leg room as it is. No way am I trying to share that space with my backpack because the jerks took all the space up.
Well i waited twice to board a plane and both times my seat was taken by someone else and i had to have a discussion with them to take my seat back so i do kinda understand why you would want to board early.