Gatwick in boarding trial

A new boarding technique to find ways to avoid queues and congestion at gates is under a two-month trial at Gatwick with digital screens and staff at Gate 101 showing passengers the order for getting on their aircraft.

A range of sequences is being tested to see whether they make the process faster, more relaxing and, potentially, reduce the need for large numbers of passengers to rush forward at any stage.

Possible sequences include seating people from the back row to the front with window seats first, middle seats next and aisle seats last. Passengers with priority boarding or who require special assistance will still board first during the trial.

Airport officials say modelling indicates the techniques being investigated may be able to reduce boarding times by up to 10% and results from the trial, with feedback from passengers, will be used to decide whether to take the concept forward.

Head of enabling technologies and digital innovation Abhi Chacko said: “Early indications are this new technique has the potential to reduce overall boarding times. We also expect to make the whole boarding experience more relaxing.”

www.gatwickairport.com

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Bill Dempster, London

Plus ca change . In the days of the Super 111-500s at LHR on domestics and Paris we had 20 minute scheduled turnrounds.Px off the back cleaners on the front pax on the front to back . Good briefing of pax some whip cracking and crew coordination made these turnrounds possible . Noticed on the LGW PIC last week they have not cracked the excess handbaggage traipsed on board .Mayhem in the cabin finding stowage .