Airplane boarding question....

[tink1969]

Can someone please tell me why airlines board planes from front to back?
Wouldn't it make sense to start at the back of the plane?
It's annoying when you have to stand in the skinny aisle with your hands full/bags/kids etc and have to wait every few steps for someone to put their bags in the overhead bins and settle in their seats.
Just venting.....

 

[goofyernmost]

Personally, I have never been on one that didn't board from back to front. What airline to do travel with?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Agree with goofyernmost - I've never seen an airline board from front to back, with the possible exception of Southwest's open seating... but if one did, it would likely be so that the passengers seated at the front of the plane could access the overhead storage above or close to their seats before the passengers seated at the back of the plane boarded, tossed their carry-ons in the first open bin, and then proceeded to their seats.

Yes, it happens. A lot.

Oh, the other reason would be members of the airlines' Elite, Frequent Flyer, Diamond, Priority, etc. clubs.

 

[minkydog]

I usually fly AirTran coach and I've always seen people in first class when I board the plane.

 

[Meriweather]

first class, people needing assistance and those with small children load first, then MVP and partner MVPs and then from back to front on all airlines I have flown on.

 

[SunshineOR]

Seems like every time I fly, we're boarding front to back. My family is always seated in the back, oddly enough with the other families with kids who seem to be relegated to some lower-class section in the back next to the restrooms.

I HATE trying to get down the aisle with people glaring at me because I have kids, trying not to whack them in the face with my backpack and purse as I try to wriggle down the aisle, then I finally get to our seats and there's no overhead space left for our luggage and we have to fly with no space for our feet because all our luggage has to go underneath our seats.
I agree, hate it and don't get it at all.

 

[Buckalew11]

I've never flown an airline that seats front to back. AirTran, Allegiant, USAir, Delta etc.

Now, special assistance gets to board first. And people who do not follow the rules and get on before their zone is called. But last time I flew with Allegiant when those people tried that, they didn't suceed.

 

[golfgal]

All airlines board first class first then from back to front. I have never flown one that didn't. I fly Air Tran quite a bit and they always have loaded back to front.

 

[nordkin]

Seems like every time I fly, we're boarding front to back. My family is always seated in the back, oddly enough with the other families with kids who seem to be relegated to some lower-class section in the back next to the restrooms.

I HATE trying to get down the aisle with people glaring at me because I have kids, trying not to whack them in the face with my backpack and purse as I try to wriggle down the aisle, then I finally get to our seats and there's no overhead space left for our luggage and we have to fly with no space for our feet because all our luggage has to go underneath our seats.
I agree, hate it and don't get it at all.

You don't get relegated to the back of the plane if you pick your own seats. We have flown at least 4 or 5 times a year with our three children, always picked our own seats, and always sat toward the front of the plane. Many airlines now board based on window, middle, or aisle seat. If you are a group traveling together, you all can board with the lowest boarding number. Also when I sit in first or business class I expect to board first as it is one of the perks for paying such a high price for my ticket.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I don't think I've ever flown domestically on one that boarded back to front either. We usually fly Delta but have flown others in the past too. Yes, bugs the heck out of me, too! Back naturally has to wait to get off when you land, seems only fair you could get on first and not have to wait in the aisle boarding.

When we flew in Greece, the planes boarded (and deplaned) at both a front and rear exit simultaneously. (They bus you out onto the tarmac and you board via a staircase.) That was Olympic Air.

When I went to India, we all boarded at the rear exit of the plane. Again, a bus to the plane and staircase up. (Kingfisher Airline)

 

[KandD]

I just flew to Florida in April and it was the first time I have seen them board front to back. I thought it was weird....off the top of my head I can't remember what airline we flew.

 

[MM27]

Every plane I have ever been on has boarded back to front. I know that because I usually end up with seats in the front of the plane and get so annoyed that the people in the back have stored their baggage in the overhead bins above my seat so that they can grab it quickly on their way off the plane.

Personally, I think people with kids should be the last to board, not the first. The least amount of time kids need to be sitting still on the plane, the better.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Can someone please tell me why airlines board planes from front to back?
Wouldn't it make sense to start at the back of the plane?
It's annoying when you have to stand in the skinny aisle with your hands full/bags/kids etc and have to wait every few steps for someone to put their bags in the overhead bins and settle in their seats.
Just venting.....

I fly several times a year for both vacation and work and the last few years, yes, we have boarded back to front. I always fly different airlines, I book whichever flight times are better for me I don't care about sticking to one particular carrier for miles.

I complain about it every single time because it makes no sense. No one can move, because everyone is blocking the aisles putting their stuff up top.

So OP, I'm with you, feel free to vent away!

 

[TaraLee4]

We can board on both ends of the plane!

Well, you can if you fly Southwest out of Albany. They have special 'over the wing' boarding gates that allow you to either enter the front or the back of the plane.

I haven't flown another airline in almost 10 years (and that was Delta when I was 14) So I couldn't tell you about anybody else

 

[Green Tea]

I was on US air this week and they are just an overall mess. Front was filled before I got to my last row same day no choice of seat tickets.

If not back to front, maybe window seats, centers, aisles?

I don't know how they do it, but I know on Southwest it boarded much more quickly.

 

[sjs314]

I have been on flights that have called first class then the first few rows coach then everyone else and also on flights that boarded from back to front. I think the main problem is when they call " and everyone else" you have people sitting in what 15 to 20 different rows all trying to get to their seats and it just causes a traffic jam each time someone reaches their row, it is not the most efficent way to board.
Personally I prefer to fly first few rows if possible I hate the long trek to the back of the plane getting on and getting off.
I buy my tickets as early as possible to be able to have a better choice of seats. My next trip I am in row 3 both going and coming and quite happy.
I won't fly SW, Air Tran or any airline that I can not get a assigned seat when booking.

 

[CathrynRose]

The OP must fly United - they board front to back, and it annoyed me to no end.

I've since started flying SW. Much better.

It might still be front to back - but I make it up front.

 

[lilmissbehaved]

I fly a bunch for work (usually USAir) and typically they do not board front to back OR back to front. They randomly (unless you are preferred- then you get on 1st) assign you a zone when you print your boarding pass. Your zone has nothing to do w/ the section of the plane you are sitting in... It's a total mess during the week on short commuter flights when you are fighting for overhead space.... Makes much more sense to load it up back to front like they used to do. When printing said passes if I wind up w/ zone 1, I let out a loud cheer because I am pretty sure my bag will have a home above my head.

 

[tink1969]

The OP must fly United - they board front to back, and it annoyed me to no end.

I've since started flying SW. Much better.

It might still be front to back - but I make it up front.

You are right.....we did fly United!
OUr return flight was Southwest which seemed to work well.
I have flown Airtran and Delta as well. I'm guessing the reason I think planes board front to back is because the flight attendants at the gate are not really checking seat numbers and allowing everyone to board at the same time. I don't know what it is but like I said it's just annoying when you have to stop and wait every few step for people to figure out where their carry-ons go. They sit down, then realize they need something from their bag in the overhead bin and get up again and stop more people from getting through!

 

[Rora]

Odd...I've never been on a plane that's borded front to back. It's always been back to front, with disabled/children/first class passengers boardins first...