An even speedier method than Wilma, experts say, is the kind of more randomly styled boarding process that Southwest Airlines (LUV) uses. Under that system, passengers don't have assigned seats, but board in groups and then claim whatever spot they can find.
Why do airlines not board back to front?
The main reason commercial airlines board passengers from the front to the back is to maintain balanced weight distribution. It ensures that neither the front nor the back of the airplane is bearing too much weight. Airplanes, of course, are typically heavier in the back. The back is where the engines are located.
What is the Wilma method?
United Airlines is set to take on the WILMA method, which sees customers board the plane in order of window, middle, then aisle, and if you think about it, it makes an awful lot more sense.
What airline is unreliable?
American AirlinesU.S. travelers report that American Airlines is the most unreliable airline in the world when measured by the total flight problems and reported complaints in 2022. American is also the world's largest airline, so this finding may not surprise frequent flyers. However, the other results are fascinating.
Is it illegal to not board a flight?
Technically, skip lagging isn't illegal. But, as mentioned above, doing so is considered a violation of your airline's conditions of carriage. The consequences of hidden city ticketing may vary.
Why airlines won t fix inefficient boarding?
Is it faster to board a plane back-to-front?
Why is this the most efficient way to board? In recent years, several studies have been conducted to find the most timesaving way to board an airplane. The WILMA, or outside-in strategy, is faster than the traditional back-to-front strategy for two key reasons.
Why is the airline industry so bad right now?
Labor shortagesBloomberg News calculated that some 400,000 global airline industry workers were set to lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic. Today, labor shortages exist throughout the economy, but the problem drags on in the air travel sector, where more extensive employee training is usually required.
What does Wilma seating mean?
window, middle, aisleIn response, United has announced a new boarding policy which prioritizes seating window seat passengers middle seats and aisles. Called WILMA, which stands for the “window, middle, aisle” seat order, it's a process that's long been known to expedite plane boarding.
What does Wilma stand for in aviation?
The new method called WILMA, which is meant to stand for window, middle and aisle, will see passengers board the aircraft in that exact order. First class and business class passengers won't see any changes.
What is the boarding strategy of airlines?
Because it is easier to implement, the most common strategy is back-to-front. The plane's last row is the first to board in this case. All rows are seated before the front rows get to board. Some airlines simplify back-to-front boarding by calling for blocks of people to board back to front.
Can I sue an airline for not letting me board?
Generally, yes you can sue an airline in small claims court. The U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”), which is a federal agency that regulates airlines operating in the U.S, even publishes a Consumer's Guide to Small Claims Court.