Delta Air Lines is implementing a new boarding process effective May 1 with the goal of expediting the boarding of passengers onto planes.
Passengers flying with the airline will now be required to be aware of their designated zone number in order to board in the correct order.
Instead of the traditional boarding groups based on airline status or fare class like "Sky Priority," Delta will now assign numbered boarding zones to customers. The airline clarified that the sequence of boarding will remain the same, only the group names will be different.
Customers needing additional assistance will continue to pre-board ahead of Zone 1, which will consist of Delta One and First Class passengers. Zone 2 will be for Diamond Medallion Members and Delta Premium Select ticket holders.
Delta Comfort+ travelers will board in Zone 3, followed by Sky Priority in Zone 4, as indicated in a chart on the airline's official website. The zone numbers will range up to 8, with basic economy passengers boarding in the final zone.
Delta Airlines Simplifies Boarding Process
Delta Airlines recently announced a small change to its boarding process, shifting from zone-based boarding to numbered zones. This change aims to make the boarding process easier for infrequent fliers and non-English speakers, who can now simply listen for a number to know when it's their turn to board. According to Delta, this adjustment will also reduce stress for gate agents.
In a statement to CBS News, Delta mentioned that the transition to numbered zones will provide customers with more clarity and make the boarding process more intuitive, especially for those facing language barriers. Additionally, the new system will align more closely with Delta's joint venture and international partners, offering a more consistent experience for international travelers on mixed-metal itineraries.
CEO Ed Bastian addressed the change during the company's first quarter earnings call, highlighting the simplicity and efficiency of the numbered zones. "When you have a number and you're standing in line, we are all trained to know when it's our turn," Bastian explained.
Expert Opinion on Delta's Boarding Process
In 2018, Delta introduced its branded fare boarding process, moving away from traditional zone boarding. However, Clarkson University professor John Milne, an expert on airline boarding, believes that the recent change to numbered zones is a superficial adjustment. Milne suggests that there are other more impactful changes that Delta and its competitors could implement to enhance boarding efficiency.
"They're not changing who boards when or the sequence," a spokesperson told a news outlet. "All they are changing is the names of what passenger group boards next."
The airline continues to prioritize passengers with airline status or who have paid for a higher class fare on a particular flight. However, it has been suggested that a more efficient boarding process would be to board passengers based on their seat location on the aircraft.
For instance, starting with window seat customers in the back half of the plane could potentially speed up the boarding process. "That way you would minimize some of the congestion," the spokesperson added.
Delta Airlines currently assigns passengers to boarding groups based on their loyalty to the airline and ticket prices.
Despite recent air safety incidents, including a panel blowing off a Boeing 737 Max aircraft during an Alaska Airlines flight, the airline reported a $37 million first-quarter profit and noted strong demand for air travel as the summer travel season approaches.
