Plane boarding policies vary among airlines. However, the one common goal for all airlines is boarding passengers as fast as practicable and save time while achieving the delicate balance of satisfying all the passengers. Most airlines attempt to appreciate elite members by allowing them to settle in early.
The event
United Airlines new family boarding policy allows relationships with the kids aged two and below to board the planes before other passengers even the first class and elite status passengers (Giraldo, et al 45-54).
The new policies take effect Feb, 15.
The pre-boarding policy for families gives the parents a chance to stow their bags and get the young children settled ahead of other customers.
United Airlines made a big change in their family policy presumably as part of a larger effort to be more attentive to the passenger’s needs
United cares about families with young children, and offering pre-boarding with them is the right thing to do”. The statement above was made by Pineau-Boddison vice president United Airlines gave to emphasize the United's attempt to try to reduce families stress out of travel situations.
Previously, families with small children were allowed to board planes before others in aid to convenience moms and dads traveling with kids. However, United revamped the pre-boarding policy in 2012. United Airlines were then trying to simplify the boarding process by reducing the number of boarding groups (Giraldo, et al 45-54).
Impact of United Airlines Changes Boarding Policy to Help Parents Travel
Make plane boarding faster and is efficient- allowing pre-boarding for parents with young children helps save time. Parents handling babies, car seats, and strollers would hold passengers up if they board as the other passengers. Holding up all other passengers and probably the plane departure time is not an intention of families traveling with children. Such families try their best to get on board as quickly as possible, but with young kids and gear they just don't move very fast. Allowing such parents to board first would save time and would be more efficient compared to if they were dealt with like another passenger.
It will improve the customer travel experience. The re-introduction of pre-boarding policies will improve the travel experience for both the parents with the children and other passengers as well. Pre-boarding for such families will give airline’s representatives dealing with customer services some time to gate-check car seats and strollers at the same time allowing ramp attendants to store such luggage prior to other bags to be checked and thus avoid accumulation. Overall, it is expected that this process and new family policies will contribute to improved boarding and in-flight acquaintance for all travelers.
With not enough time in-flight harness, families traveling with toddlers would spend flight time anxious and worried whether they installation was done correctly. Pre-boarding policies for such family, parents would increase safety for the young child alongside efficiency and comfort for the traveling parents.
United is trying to help relieve stress on parents traveling with; strollers, car seats, and diaper bags and at the same time watching out for these young ones.
Questions
Are lap babies safe on an airplane?
The safety of lap babies is questionable. In the case of turbulence in the airplane, such children may be harmed or thrown around, which is both dangerous and unnerving. Child restraint systems should thus be introduced. Parents should use these refrain system to ensure the safety of their children.
Are Electronic tickets more reliable than paper tickets?
An E-ticket carries the same information as a paper ticket. Admirably, e-tickets are more reliable as it does not get elusive in a traveler's belongings like the paper ticket as it is located in the database of the airline. The database contains the traveler’s airline reservation and travel information. Passengers can use an e-ticket to gain entry at the gate before they claim their space in an aircraft. All the passenger needs is a valid identification card such as a driver’s license,
It is clear that flight travels can be a little nerve-wracking for some people.
Having to fly with a kid is thus definitely a piece of work. It can be extremely stressful for both the baby and the parent maneuver the aisles with other passengers, especially if the mother is holding an infant.
The reintroduction of the pre-board policy for families is indeed a great show of concern by the United Airlines.
There is hope that all other airlines with restrictions on family boarding process will follow suit to embrace pre-boarding policies as most revoked their family travels after United did.
Works Cited
Giraldo, Dalila. "A Comparison of Algorithms That Estimate the Effectiveness of Commercial Airline Boarding Strategies." (2009).
