Delta Airlines just announced new boarding procedures in order to fight against the spread of coronavirus.
They will have a new boarding order that allows passengers in the back of the plane to board first.
The idea is that if you allow people to board in the back of the plane first, there will be less contact between passengers since they won’t have to walk down the aisle of multiple rows of passengers.
As for first class passengers, Delta One and First Class passengers, as well as Diamond Medallion members, can continue to be able to board whenever they choose.
I understand the need for keeping first class passengers satisfied but it does seem to kind of defeat the purpose of it by allowing them to still board first if they want to.
But still, the first class sections are so small in a lot of planes that it probably will not be that big of a deal. Plus, some first class passengers may not want to board until the very end anyways (although with closed lounges that might not be the case any longer).
The next policy that they are changing is forcing passengers to remain seating in the waiting area until their row is called for boarding. This will prevent groups of people congregating close together as they await to enter the plane, although changes have already been made to help with that.
These measures will be in place at least through May 31.
Given that air travel is down by some estimations about 96% and that these are temporary changes, I don’t see them causing a huge disruption. Plus, it’s likely that most people will be pretty understanding when it comes to why these policies are being put in place.
Other measures that have been taken include things like flight attendants wearing masks and extra sanitization techniques including spray fogging.
It will be interesting to see which policies stay around after things begin to die down because I feel like many passengers will only feel comfortable flying if they know that extra efforts are being made for things like plane sanitization.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
The problem for first passengers is that by the time they board last, there will be no room in the upper bins for luggage. People do not respect space. As soon as they board they want to take the immediate available luggage space.
That’s a great point.
Henry and Daniel, what if the overhead bins are closed and the flight attendants in the aisles that are greeting you keep an eye out on that, would that help with that problem? Agree with James, flights are really empty right now.
You’re lucky if there are 30 people on a plane e .. plenty of overhead space
That’s for now my friend once this is you will see the planes full again
There’s like 12 people on a plane holding 100+. There will be plenty of room.
I take it you don’t fly – ever
All airlines board by zones, back to front. They’ve done this for years, so nothing about this has changed. Disabled are taken on first to allow time for them to settle in. Then medallions. Nothing has changed, and with a 10% occupancy rate, I rather doubt any one will run out of overhead space….Dah…
Ah, what? Delta doesn’t load from back to front. It’s a lot more complicated than that. However, I think it makes sense to load that way, providing people are required to take their carry -ons all the easy back to their seating area, not stash them up front.
This is how it should always be. Just have flight attendants monitor where people out carry on. Or, better yet, have reserved carry on space.
Reserved carry on space would be amazing!
Also window out. Just sayin
FOR MANY YEARS, EVERYONE BOARDED FROM THE BACK FORWARD until the privileged ones were allowed to board first. Everyone just get on and enjoy the ride, and remember the rear touches down FIRST!!
Will handicap and wheelchairs continue to pre board?
I would think so
Are the airlines asking passengers and military personnel to he testedfir Covid19 before being allowed to board? Or is the airline doing any kind of checking passengers temperatues?
Ah, what? Delta doesn’t load from back to front. It’s a lot more complicated than that. However, I think it makes sense to load that way, providing people are required to take their carry -ons all the way back to their seating area, not stash them up front.