Gatwick airport is trialling a new technique that it claims can reduce aircraft boarding time by up to 10 per cent compared to conventional methods.
During the two-month pilot, the airport will test a range of techniques at Gate 101 to determine whether they make the process “faster, more relaxing and, potentially, reduce the need for large numbers of passengers to rush forward at any stage”.
Potential sequences include boarding by seat number from the back row to the front, with window seats first followed by middle and finally aisle seats. Customers who have booked priority boarding and those with small children or requiring assistance will still get on the aircraft first.
Large screens and staff at the gate will show passengers the boarding order. Passengers who miss their seat number will be asked to wait until the end of the process.
According to Gatwick, these techniques can reduce boarding times by up to 10 per cent and data from the trial, as well as feedback from passengers, will be used to determine whether the concept should be taken forward.
Abhi Chacko, head of enabling technologies and digital innovation at Gatwick airport, said: “We want to explore whether boarding by seat number will avoid queues in the gate room and when boarding the aircraft.
“Early indications are that this new technique has the potential to reduce the overall boarding time. By communicating to passengers better and boarding passengers by seat number, we also expect to make the whole boarding experience more relaxing...”
The trial follows a partnership between Gatwick and Easyjet to test biometric self-boarding gates in an effort to speed up the process.
gatwickairport.com