How does zone boarding work? Song fliers?

[TammyC]

I just read that soon all Delta flights will use the zone boarding (instead of by row) procedure which they have been using on Song. Could someone please explain this system? And, do you think it makes boarding more efficient?

 

[safetymom]

They did that on recent United and Delta flights. Instead of calling by rows they call more rows and that is considered a zone.

Zone 1 is the front of the plane and works its way back.

 

[kda]

I wasn't paying a lot of attention, so can't really describe all the details. The boarding pass had numbers 1to 5 or 6 on it, and they would call a number to board. Song flights board near the middle of the plane --- about row 9, so some people are going to the back and others to the front. The window seats are boarded before the aisle seats (now THAT's a great idea). DH had window and I had aisle, and we had different zone #'s.

There were announcements that I ignored, since I don't mind boarding last, but there must have have been some way to accomodate families with kids who were in the same row and had different zones. It seems to go fairly quickly, and I didn't see anyone upset because they had to board separately.

 

[seashoreCM]

The airlines have been experimenting with different zone layouts.
Sometimes they have window seat passengers board before aisle seat passengers, but also let those traveling together in the same row board with the window seat member. This makes a whole farce out of the window seat zone system.

What they wanted to do is have baggage stowing happening all up and down the aisle at the same time as opposed to just in one place working slowly from back to front.

One system went something like this:

Rows 1 to 9 are first class and those passengers can board at any time.
Zone 1 rows 35 to 40
zone 2 rows 20 to 25
Zone 3 rows 30 to 35
Zone 4 rows 15 to 20
Zone 5 rows 25 to 30
Zone 6 rows 10 to 15

Looks confusing but it is all kept track of in a computer. It's easy as far as you are concerned, just wait for your zone number to be called. If you look closely you will see that Zone 2 can start reaching for the overhead bins before Zone 1 is all done doing that.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[goofy4tink]

When we flew Song in Dec, we were in row 2, front row, seats E and F. We were boarded second. I can't seem to remember which zone went first but it wasn't us! It did board quickly tho. Seemed to be faster than usual.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Keep moving all the way to the end of the row (because every seat is a good one!)

Works great until some one stops and sits in the middle of the row and gums up the works!

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
When we flew Song in Dec, we were in row 2, front row, seats E and F. We were boarded second. I can't seem to remember which zone went first but it wasn't us! It did board quickly tho. Seemed to be faster than usual.

We just booked our flights on Song, and on our flight down we are in row 2 seats C,D,E,and F. How is that location for sitting? I noticed that there aren't any seats infront of D,E or F. Can you still see a TV?

 

[goofy4tink]

cindala, we never have had the tv's. But, I would think that they could very easily be put in that front wall. We love those seats. Only problem is the tray. It fold out from the armrest. It takes a little of the seating area but not a huge deal. If I could figure a way to get seats in row 1, I would. But they never seem to be available.

 

[cindala]

goofy4tink,
Thanks for the info! DH is use to the TV's on the Delta flights we have taken, so I sure hope they have them in by the time we go.

Song just assigned these seats when I booked online, but I can go back into my itineraries and change them if I want to. Is the leg room any different than the other seats? I know what you mean by the side trays. I think we had them when we sat in an exit aisle one time. With Song having all coach seating, we're not use to sitting so far up in the front of the plane. Would you change the seats knowing what you experienced? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

cindala, I try to get these seats. There is a little more leg room. It's really going to be nice for my dh, who's 6'4". Nobody slamming their seat back on his knees!!! Had to change our flight going to WDW this August and couldn't get the same seats. Had to settle for row 4. Ah well. More leg room will be more appreciated on the 8 pm flight home!!!

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by cindala
We just booked our flights on Song, and on our flight down we are in row 2 seats C,D,E,and F. How is that location for sitting? I noticed that there aren't any seats infront of D,E or F. Can you still see a TV?

There are three TVs on the wall in front of the seats...one for each seat.

 

[alexturner74]

For the most part, Zone 1, 2 and 6 are for the first 13 rows. Zone 3 is row 14-34 window, Zone 4 is row 14-34 middle, and Zone 5 is row 14-34 aisle. If your party would normally be split between zones, it should default to the highest Zone so that everyone in the party boards together.

Delta's zone boarding is different than Song. It has 9 zones. Zone 1 for first class, Zone 2 & 3 for Medallions, and Zone 4-9 for coach from the rear rows forward. They're not divided by window, middle or aisle seats.

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by alexturner74
There are three TVs on the wall in front of the seats...one for each seat.

Thanks! Hope they have the TV's all installed by the time we fly in July!

 

[alexturner74]

All TV's should be installed at the end of March.