I've been through LHR 4 times since December and boarding by row was done on all flights. It is a function of the airline itself, not the airport, how it boards its planes. You may have travelled on an airline that just opens the floodgates.

Just have to add my two cents - I don't really care whether airlines board by rows or zones or whatever, but I REALLY hope they don't all take up the Southwest style of free for all boarding. In theory this would be fine if people who arrived/checked in first got on first, but what happens in my experience is that the most rude and obnoxious people (including many people I know!) just push their way to the front and sit down first, regardless of their boarding pass letter.

I have to question "audreyleigh99"'s "experience" in SW boarding. While some people may try to butt into a line, I've NEVER seen anyone get past the A-B-C boarding, other than the pre-boards. I agree with the O.P. that Southwest's policy DOES get people to the airport sooner, which is probably why their on-time performance is so good.

I find the SW model a hastle. I have to get to the airport early, stand in line waiting for the counter to open to get my pass and stand in the line at the gate to get near the front of my assigned group.

Otherwise, after all the poeple with children and others that need extra time, followed by those that stood forever to be in the front of their group, I end up with seating I don't like.

And if I have to change planes, I am SOL, because I can't pick up my pass in the second airport quick enough.

I live in a city with a SW hub, and I am glad they are here, since they get the prices down for all of us. But SW is low in my choices.

Keith

If you don't live in a SW hub city, you can be SOL on the second leg of any journey.

I don't mind the zone system, actually, although the last-minute accommodations to the super-privileged do seem excessive at times.

Anyone hear the Puzzler on Car Talk this week?

One can check-in online on SW, and get a boarding pass of a early "group". No need to wait in line for ever at the gate for every flight you take.

However, if there were more than one people in the itinerary, then you can't check-in online. No idea if they have fixed this major inefficiency or not.

>Anyone hear the Puzzler on Car Talk this week?

Yes. Took me about 5 minutes to reason it out. I had to turn the radio off so their voices wouldn't distract me.

The 2nd person to get on the plane has 98/99 chance of getting the right seat. The 3rd has 97/98 (regardless of how #2 did), the 4th has 96/97... the 100th has 1/2.

Keith

Under the traditional back to front boarding, there is only one area of intense stowing, starting at the back. (except for people sitting in the back putting their carryon in the front bin)

Using the newfangled staggered row group zone boarding that Delta and a few other airlines use, for example rows 10-20 and rows 40-50 both being in zone 3, we now have two (or three) areas of intense stowing. This theoretically speeds up boarding.

Using zone numbers, the airline can experiment with different systems and not tell anybody. Also the zone system is theoretically easier to understand than row systems.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

"If I Ran The Zoo" er, airline, I would make it possible for passengers to purchase and thus ensure they can have things lke exit row seats and overhead bin space.

NO, they have not fixed the multi-person problem... we just did an office trip, and all 6 of us ended up in group C. Actually, we got a lot of aisles, just not together- on the way out. On the way back, they all including my husband had B and I got C "because the printer broke", and they wouldn't let me board with everyone else. Silly system. What if our 6 have been with kids (over age 5, so no pre-board).... it wouldn't have made sense to let us be together? Isn't that the point of booking it all together?

>>> they all including my husband got B [southwest's zone system] while I got C ...

They all including your husband could dilly dally and then all of you could then board together in the C group.

The way it was being done at Phoenix, we were told that A's were to all go together- even if they showed up as they were boarding B or C, they still were to go first.... basically stick with your letter group. Yes, all six of us could have probably found some way to board as "C", but there were not 6 seats together by the time C's were getting their turn. We found it hard enough to get 2 together with him a B and me a C. I guess either you love Southwest's boarding policy, or you hate it. It felt hectic to me, and the standard board-by-rows seems more relaxed.

Any way you get boarded, it is stinky!! We are herded on and pay dearly for the priveledge! I do not want to be seated in the kiddie section, and I have kids-good ones 10 and 12 years old. I don't think seats should recline either. I barely have enough room for my legs and I am only 5'6. I also think that if you have the rows 10-15 area, you are the last to board and therefore can not get any carry-ons stowed away. I do like having an assigned seat, but I agree that any way they board us, it is inconvenient to some.

At least I know now how on a recent flight one of my family members was 3 zones off from mine even though they were only two rows behind me.

To give credit where credit's due, Delta did a really nice job on a recent Europe trip my family took. However, I never figured out the zone system. In fact, on one leg of the trip our boarding passes didn't include our zone at all so we just had to wait until the "everybody can board now" announcement.

There is and there has never been any proof that any system speeds thing up...back to front sure as hell doesn't; especially since there are many people who hear the pre boarding annoucement and get on anyway...

You know what...first come first served will get people, if they so desire, to the gate quicker.

And I do resent that when I am stuck in a later boarding situation, some of these bums take up the overhead compartment space with luggage that should be checked.

And I further resent, and it has happened, I put all my carry ons, small stuff in the overhead and am told that I should store this stuff on the floor in front of me because some jerk wants to bring on a carry on as large as what I checked.

How dare they...

xyz- has it right.
All airlines try to get the back to front going but there are always those who don't or won't get the message. Frequently some 300 pounder with a duffle bag nearly as big as he who stops at the first or second row and then puts his bag in the wrong way. :O

At least as important to me is whether disembarking ("de-boarding" -- a horrible term) is controlled to permit those with tight connections to get off first or not.

I can't say any particular airline has been outstanding on this point, but nothing ruins my day by being trapped behind pokey people getting things out of overheads and putting on coats when I have 10 min. to change terminals.

It doesn't take a huge amount of effort on the FA's part to be very clear in urging that people without close connections should stay put until those who have to run can get out and on their way. You won't convince everyone, but it makes a big difference when people accommodate the request.

I have only heard flight attendents ask that folks wait a minute while those with tight connections get off, once or twice.

On a flight that is late, particularly into a hub, this makes so much sense!

Keith

cfc--

You have found one of my pet peeves,

You embark = get on;

You debark = get off

To answer your question, NWA uses the traditional row boarding.

Most or all of the airlines are doing zones, but what is weird with delta is that they have 9 zones! most have 4 or 5, I was zone 9, I was the last person!