US Airways Boarding Procedure

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

How does USAirways board passengers?

By row numbers?
By numbers on boarding passes?

If by numbers on boarding passes, how do you get a low number? Date ticket purchased? Check in time? Number of hairs on your head?

Thanks

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It's by status (ie. Elite/First Class travelers will always have low zone numbers) and then by zone. Zone is really a pattern of boarding on the plane. Some airlines are V-Shaped boarding starting from the back, others are row starting with the front. I don't really recall US Airways though.

 

[seashoreCM]

I wouldn't be surprised if the boarding order has changed every now and then. One slowdown in the traditional back to front boarding is that there is just one small area of concentrated (carry-on) stowing that starts at the back and works its way forward.

A few airlines have a zigzag zone boarding, for example let an area of concentrated stowing happen as usual in the back and make another area of stowing happen in the middle or front. Like burning a candle or sparkler from both ends. If you burn a candle from both ends you get twice the light.

The V shaped pattern comes about from letting window seat occupants board before middle, and aisle occupants respectively combined with back to front.

 

[merrily]

I just flew US Air two days ago. First class and elite passengers board first along with those needing assistance and families with children under the age of 5 (not many children on the flights I was on). Then we were boarded by zone number, with the front of the plane boarding first and moving to the back. I did notice that one time my teens were in zone 2 and the rest of us were in zone 3 even though we were sitting in the same row. Not sure why. That did not happen on any of the other legs of the trip.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Thanks!