Key Highlights
- Delta Air Lines revises its boarding procedure, sparking discussions on passenger prioritization.
- New system introduces a group-based approach, altering the sequence for Delta 360 members and Diamond Medallions.
- Controversy arises over family boarding policies compared to elite and first-class passengers.
- Changes aim to streamline boarding but raise questions about convenience for families.
(MomentaNews) – Delta Air Lines is changing the way it boards flights…kind of. The minor tinkering to the boarding process is mostly lipstick on a pig but sparks a debate that will certainly divide flyers. New New Boarding System On Delta Air Lines Embraces Group Approach Delta currently has a “branded” boarding order, in which it boards in the following sequence: Pre-Boarding those needing more time active duty military Delta One or First Class Delta 360 members Diamond Medallions Delta Premium Select Early Access passengers traveling with car seats or strollers Delta Comfort+ Sky Priority Platinum + Gold level elites on JV partners Main Cabin 1 Silver-level elites on JV partners Delta SkyMiles Gold + Platinum members Other SkyTeam elites Reserve AMEX cardholders Main Cabin 2 Main Cabin 3 Basic Economy Starting May 1, 2024, Delta will return to a numbered boarding zone system: Pre-Boarding now includes Delta 360 members Zone 1 Delta One / First Class Zone 2 Diamond Medallion + Premium Select Early Access Zone 3-8 (unchanged) So the main difference is that 1.) Delta 360 members can board ahead of Delta One and First Class passengers and that 2.) Diamond Medallions and Premium Select customers can now board at once. This chart summarizes the changes: I’d imagine Delta 360 members will love this change while Diamond members will rue it. But the changes strike me more as lipstick on a pig and I do not think that customers will necessarily find a zone number easier than the current system.
Family Boarding: A Controversial Stance
American Airlines and United Airlines allow families with children under two years old to board first. Delta has taken a different approach. Who has the better approach? I do think there is some merit to giving premium cabin and elite status guests the chance to board first. It’s one of those things where it should not matter because everyone is going to the same place, but it does because there no one likes waiting around a gate area and there is still some concern about overhead bin space filling up. But imagine families traveling with young children—and car seats, strollers, and baby bags. You let them board first and they can get to their seats and get settled. When elites and premium cabin guests board first, they get bumped by the families who board later. United also allows its top-tier elites (1K members) to board ahead of first class passengers (American Airlines allows its Executive Platinum members to board with first class). I think recognizing long-term loyalty is more important than transactional loyalty and prefer that approach. Thus, I do think Delta gets it wrong here.
Efficiency Versus Tradition: Boarding Methodologies Compared
Boarding airplanes is a universally chaotic and frequently derided process in the United States. United claims it saves two minutes by boarding window seat passengers first, then middle seats and aisle seats last. That’s a bit closer to computer modeling, which has shown the most efficient way to board is every other row by seat position. It’s considered too complex to work in the real world, though. Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
Public Reaction and Industry Implications
Delta is introducing a new group-based boarding system on May 1, 2024. While these changes are mostly minor, the concept of allowing many passengers ahead of families traveling with young children strikes me as a controversial approach that may be an inconvenience for families and non-families alike.