Smarter Boarding
Wired reports on the various methods that airlines use to speed boarding times. So who are the fastest airlines? America West, which recently merged with US Airways used an Arizona State University-designed “reverse pyramid” boarding system that cut their turnaround times by 21%.
AirTran Airlines also enjoys fast loading speeds, with turnaround times in the 20-30 minute range. Also in the fast load-time club is Southwest, whose innovative sit-wherever-you-want boarding system magically creates order from chaos. “Passengers who are free to sit anywhere usually do a good job staying out of each other’s way,” explained ASU Graduate Student Menkes van den Briel.
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Smarter boarding should make up for the time lost waiting in line for check-in and security.
Interesting info about the effect of Southwest’s ‘sit wherever you want’ system. I would have assumed that it would have the complete opposite effect.
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