ALL ABOARD
Sneaky way to board top UK airline before other economy passengers – and it’s free
It comes as experts debated the best method for passengers to board a plane efficiently
A POPULAR airline has revealed a new way to board before other passengers.
The dreaded delays while boarding can be one of the most frustrating things about flying.
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Once onboard, everyone pushing and shoving to get their bags in the overhead lockers can turn what should be a smooth process into further chaos.
Now, Virgin Atlantic has introduced a new benefit for entry level members of the carrier’s Flying Club frequent flyer programme.
Red tier members can now board ahead of other customers travelling in Economy Classic and Economy Light after the change came into force on March 14.
And Red tier members will also be able to board first on any Virgin Atlantic operated service throughout the airline’s global network.
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Other existing rules on priority boarding still remain in place, according to Business Traveller.
This means customers travelling with young children and/or needing extra assistance board first.
They are followed by Upper Class passengers and Gold Card members, then Premium customers and then Economy Delight passengers.
Red-tier Flying Club members will now slot in at the end of this list.
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Anthony Woodman, vice president Flying Club and CRM, Virgin Atlantic, said: “We are constantly enhancing our Flying Club programme so that our members receive the very best of Virgin Atlantic.
New rapid boarding technique splits family and friends
“Our Red Tier members already receive access to a world of earning and spending opportunities for their Virgin Points, and now our new boarding benefit provides an extra sweetener to the beginning of their journeys with us.”
British Airways does not offer priority boarding for entry level Blue tier members of its Executive Club,
However, Bronze members - attained after reaching 300 tier points -do benefit from priority boarding and the use of business class check-in desks.
Experts have long debated the most efficient way to board a plane.
Some experts believe the more effective way to board passengers is in the same window, middle, aisle order - also known as 'Steffen method'.
The technique limits how many passengers can board at one time within each group.
Those with window seats in odd-numbered rows enter before passengers with window seats in even-numbered rows.
It allows people space to place their bags and luggage into the overhead bins.
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Other airlines, such as the low-budget Ryanair use a first come first serve method.
Passengers who pay extra can choose where to seat while standard seats are assigned randomly.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines use a bus-like approach in which people are assigned a place in line in a boarding group and choose their own seat as they walk down the aisle.
It comes as one frequent traveller, Lucas Chesterton, said getting on last can help you get better seats.
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In a video he shared on his Instagram account, he showed how he waits until the last call for boarding, before taking his pick of the remaining seats.
Frequent traveller Paul Ewart also explained why he prefers to board last rather than first.