Major change coming to this airline
British Airways has announced a new boarding policy for flights in Europe, and it has got some people very angry.
The UK carrier is introducing a "Pay least, board last" policy. All passengers will be assigned a number before boarding.
Group one will include first class flyers and Gold members of the British Airways Executive Club. Silver members will be in group two, group three comprises Bronze status holders, and group four will include economy passengers. Group five will be those who have opted for BA's cheapest hand-luggage only fares.
The idea is to speed up boarding and the company says it will "improve the customer journey".
They added: "This method has been used by airlines around the world for a number of years, including by our partners American Airlines, Iberia and Qatar."
But it hasn't gone down well with some travellers, and they have been venting on social media.
Think BA has lost the plot. Instead of competing with the Aldi and Lidl of the airline world they should have stuck to offering more and costing more. This is a race to the bottom. #britishairways #Lowcost #dignity
— Nick Redmayne (@NickRedmayne) November 18, 2017
Some are calling the policy "daft" as those who will be boarding last are most likely to have hand baggage.
New @British_Airways boarding policy is daft. Cheapest tickets are hand baggage only, so likely to be carrying most on board? Nice recipe for more chaos as people hunt for space? How about just boarding rear to front? #britishairways
— Neil C Smith (@neilcsmith_net) November 20, 2017
While some think it is shaming those who can't afford higher fares.
.@British_Airways
This idea of boarding people by their ability to pay is unfair.
It should be done by rows if you wish to board more quickly.#britishairways#snobbery#shamingthepoor— KMLockwood (@lockwoodwriter) November 20, 2017
Although others are going to wear the group 5 badge with honour.
If I have the cheapest seat on a #britishairways flight with the boarding pass number "5" I shall wear the designation with pride, as everyone with a lower number has paid a higher price to reach the same destination - surely I win there...
— pathfinder (@path_braenaru) November 20, 2017
Aviation expert John Strickland told the Daily Telegraph that the airline is just staying competitive.
"Such changes will always divide opinion but BA is simply responding to the pressures of a short-haul market dominated by low-cost carriers who fly far more customers than it does."
What do you think of British Airways' new "Pay least, board last" policy? Tell us in the comments below.
Republished with permission of Stuff.co.nz.