How important is priority boarding on domestic, international flights?

Priority boarding often on Qantas there is more in the premium queue than the standard queue with so many Platinum these days. It’s more of a fight for locker space to get on ASAP it seems especially on the 737’s. If dual bridge boarding on domestic like on 330’s to Perth etc it can be a nicer experience of course with no line up in the bridge.

A really good article! If it's a little Boeing 737 between Sydney and Melbourne or Brisbane I sometimes find the non-priority queue to be a lot shorter, although not always faster because the frequent flyers are better organised than casual flyers. Domestic A330s and international flights, Qantas does priority boarding very well, but I prefer to stay in the lounge and be among the last to board if in business class because there won't be any issues with claiming overhead luggage space, and I'd rather spend 10 minutes relaxing in the lounge than sitting in the seat as economy passengers shuffle past me.

Tip: ask at the lounge how long it'll take to walk to your gate. This helps you assess when to leave the lounge, regardless of if you like to squeeze out every last minute of lounging time or board early.

If i’m in economy, then I am with Brandon. Get on, avoid the queue in the aerobridge, get my carry on in the overhead bin, and wait for everybody else. This applies to both domestic and international.

I believe it is very important.

For me, it's more about the location (and aircraft type). If I am in Japan for example, I will board last. I know there will be plenty of locker space, and I don't have to spend longer onboard to ensure my bag has space.

Mainly for international flights, I used to be a "leave the lounge last" guy, and at the QF F lounge or The Pier can you blame me? But lately I find myself quite happy to wander to the gate earlier and use business class or Platinum priority boarding to be among the first to board and settle into my seat, take a breather and do some simple meditation-type exercises. I find this a really relaxing way to start the actual flight. It usually also means I can change into my pyjamas early instead of when there's a queue after take-off.

Priority boarding is very important for both domestic and international flights especially when travelling with hand luggage only to ensure you can secure overhead locker space close to your seat.

domestic priority boarding in Australia is woeful, Virgin are miles ahead of Qantas who have the worst I have ever seen, American airlines do it much better were they call each group forward one at a time, it works reasonably well after you fight thru the waiting crowd, southwest is even a better than QF on there 737s. If there is only one door open then most of the time it means nothing on QF, however at least VA use both front and rear doors.

Can you please explain this "priority boarding" concept for those of us who fly Qantas domestic?

I’ve never considered it a perk, I’ve always thought it was some warped marketing to get people onto the plane quicker wrapped up as an advantage. Priority disembarkation, now that would be a perk.

Boarding is a perennial issue. Airlines need good policies and need to enforce them or not bother so everyone knows it's a free-for-all.

If traveling international business class doesn’t really bring me any value, I either check luggage or if carry on finding space is never an issue. Flying economy or domestic business though with carry on is very different, I highly value the priority boarding as I don’t want to be that guy walking the plane opening every overhead locker trying to find a place for my bag.

I find priority boarding much more useful on US airlines, simply because they overhead compartments get full so quickly. Group 1 means my bag will be right next to me, instead of halfway down the airplane (meaning delays in deplaning) or worse, having to check it in when boarding.

How important is priority boarding to me? Very important, especially when I'm in economy on domestic US flights. Makes a massive difference. International flights, not much of an issue if there is boarding through separate doors such as on the A380 or a Boeing 777, with one door dedicated to business and first, but in economy then yes, it's very welcome. Who does it well? Virgin manages domestic priority boarding so much better than Qantas, which always makes me wonder how hard can it be to actually do it right? Not hard!

I like to be on early to settle in and relax as I find the whole boarding process stressful with so much pushing and rushing - especially domestic - I mainly fly international in business or first and it’s then I really like to be on first to relax read the menu and have a drink and it’s generally easier obviously with bigger planes and more air bridges

Also find gate design helps.

Don't really care priority boarding if you are taking international and business class. If you are on domestic, be careful of your overhead cabin space.

It's important for domestic if you're flying economy (which is 95% of my flying), just to snag bin space. An added bonus that it's generally slightly more orderly and pleasant than main boarding.

Chris / Brandon, have you ever been able to approach Qantas and Virgin and ask them why there is such a big difference in the priority boarding process at different airports?

My biggest gripe is queuing at a check in and flying internationally ( Europe) the endless queues going into security are the pits which make a nonsense of priority of any kind. At least in the USA, the pre approval from the TSA is akin to a genuine priority. Aside from those prior to the gate hassles, if flying J it never is a worry unless in the States with their endless groupings after ‘serving ‘ personnel.

I also find domestic budget flights particularly bad as people try and cram as much carry on to avoid check in bag costs - backpackers vs business people with say just a laptop bag.

Agree with most comments above. I have tried traveling out of "peak" times where possible and I find that works a lot better. What does irk me is when I am onboard early, the amount of people who place their overhead luggage at the front end of the plane and then continue down to their seat often many rows back. I don't fly business class as much anymore but still have my status and I see it a lot in smaller aircraft.Maybe a turn right/left option would possibly help with the flow? Many times on smaller aircraft I have found myself walking through first/business where there probably was no need to? I understand aircraft shapes/door configurations change but surely this could be factored in as airports grow? I have gone back to using a window seat as the "back pack whack" is getting worse when in the aisle seat.

I take advantage of priority boarding most times I fly. Especially if I have a carry on bag. That way you "should" be guaranteed space above or very close to your seat. On a recent Virgin flight from Hobart to Brisbane, a passenger (who I presumed was going to sit in the seat next to me) put his large carry on bag in the compartment above my row of seats and then kept walking to almost the back of the plane? I thought staff would have said something but they didn't which surprised me.

International Business Class and First Boarding is well regulated. Domestic is a joke. In five flights over last fortnight with Qantas, there has been absolutely no regulating of the two lines. The Business Class Line is usually longer than the Economy line, it would be better to do away with it if not enforced as it only makes pax annoyed. Recently in Europe both Lufthansa and Aegean had Priority Boarding and enforced it.

Here's the crux of the Priority Boarding debate: If you're going to advertise it as a perk - you have to at least attempt to deliver it! PB is blazoned as an enticing benefit across nearly every airline frequent flyer program, yet it remains one of the most underrated experiences. Conversely, when it is strictly enforced, we all breathe and express our appreciation on the forums. So I guess it matters.

Most of my domestic flights are in economy unless that points upgrade to business comes through, so I make full use of priority boarding as a Gold frequent flyer although sometimes I find the non-priority line shorter.

I think Qantas needs to manage this process a bit better.

1. Call business class passengers and CL members

2. Then call Platinum Ones

3. Then call Platinums

4. Then open it up for Golds to join the priority boarding line and everybody else to start at the normal line.

I recently took a BA trip from London to Dublin and return. I was surprised at how efficient the boarding was with a zone marked on the boarding pass.

Priority boarding is effective as long as the airlines enforce their rules. To that end the gates at BA terminal 5 are organised into the separate groups and the BA staff will only let higher groups board after the lower groups lines have been largely reduced. Having said that there is generally no organisation on the return flights on BA from the continent back to Heathrow and they will board people as long they got to the boarding area first.

As has been voiced previously, I agree most premium passengers prefer to board departing aircraft last, whether it be domestic or international to shorten the time on board and the last thing they wish to be is in a seat longer than needed.

Thus dump the privilege, make boarding straight forward for all, rather than broadcasting a long list of who and when, which in some cases confuses the majority of one time flyers, and replace the perk with another more useful. Simple!

Virgin invested in the PB product as a while so that’s probably why it works. They even ran TV commercials spruikingvthe product and designed its Sydney Pier with dedicated lanes.

It's a must when travelling Coach in the US. Otherwise you'll either have to check your luggage or have it under the seat in front

Qantas (especially Domestic) need to copy AA’s model. Works beautifully.

Domestic QF Priority is kind of pointless but as I prefer an exit row I need all bags up so I get going as soon as the lounge calls the flight. This way my bags are usually close to me. Overseas some airlines are full on about dealing with priority AA and BA come to mind. But for the best show in town, watch the queue behaviour in India. Love it, but try not to compete or risk injury.

If luggage space is guaranteed, I'd like to get on as late as possible, Otherwise, I'd head to the priority line early-ish...

There is no point boarding Chairman's/ Plat etc first.. they are still in the lounge and don't arrive till the end of boarding.

VA economy X includes priority boarding, but this is not shown on the signs at the gates (see the photo on this article) and is not mentioned in announcements. I prefer to board early rather than hang around in the terminal incensed I have got to the gate.

Interesting experience recently on TAP Portugal on flights from/to US.

Recently I was in the Priority lane ,full fare J class with VA in Melbourne waiting for the boarding call for the Perth Flight. There were quite a few people in the line and the staff then called " Business Class " passengers to Board. Naturally all of the Gold , Plat passengers etc surged forward only to be told that unless they actually had a Business Class ticket they had to wait. Some were vocally upset by this and said so quite loudly. As I walked past them I stopped and asked them how much they actually paid either in points or cash for their ticket. I then mentioned that didn't they think a full fare paying passenger should have any priority over them, and they all were very silent.

The Priority Lane is really well worth it when flying Business Class and for those Plat. Gold who choose to fly in Economy then you should have to wait until the full J fares board.

It's a great system when it is applied properly.

Domestic with only computer bag - nil

Domestic with additional carry on - a race...

International - nil

But all the above depends on what seat you are in... ;)

Not that important.

I qualify for priority lanes, but often in capital cities I go to the non-priority lane as it’s shorter.

The issue seems to be both a lack of knowledge from the public on what exact time to borad and the unwillingness of crew to refuse those not eligible. If both of these things are done better, priority boarding would be a better benefit.

Certain airlines do it better than others. Priority boarding international means you should be at the gate at the time of boarding. That being said, if you are sipping your champagne in the lounge and wander to the gate then you will need to weave your way through the long Economy line until you see daylight at the Business of First lane. Then walk through to the plane. To me Priority Boarding is more about having the shorter queue than getting on first on major long haul flights. Shorter international flights are a mixed bag.

Australia is not so bad on the "overcrowded overhead bin space", but, as someone who recently relocated to the States, it's a major issue here and a serious dog fight to find any room for even a smaller backpack on the majority of flights. So I find priority boarding is a blessing, perhaps necessity, here!

I don’t often fly domestically and when I do, I usually fly in coach. I fly long haul a fair bit and it’s all business class tickets paid out of my bank account. If I’m paying $4000 to $10,000 for my ticket, I expect relatively unharried and unobstructed access to my seat, early or late, any time within the boarding time frame really. I get quite snarky if I do not get it. My pet peeve is airlines that board coach through business class. NZ is especially bad about this on its widebodies out of Auckland. Koru Club encourages you to board early then you sit there with your feet in the aisle while coach files past interminably, replete with glares and remarks like, “I hate these business class seats.” Ugh.