Pay More and Board Sooner on British Airways

British Airways is set to unroll a new boarding process starting next month that will see the airline introduce zoned boarding based on status and fare paid.

Starting on December 12, 2017, British Airways will board passengers based on their status with the airline or the fare paid, and their zone number will be shown clearly on their boarding pass at checkin, according to information contained in an internal memo obtained by The Independent.

“This number will then be displayed prominently on the boarding pass, printed or mobile.” the memo read. "The first three levels will be assigned to passengers with elite status, while economy passengers will be placed in zones 4 and 5.”

Depending on whether the flight is international or within Europe, group one will be First Class or Club Europe passengers and the airline’s elite passengers holding Gold or Emerald status, group two will be Club Class passengers and those with Silver or Sapphire status, and group three will be Premium Economy and those with Bronze or Ruby status.

Economy passengers will be placed in groups four and five, with economy passengers who purchased a ‘hand baggage only’ fare being the last to board on intra-Europe flights.

A British Airways spokesperson told The Guardian that it should "speed up" the boarding process saying “This method has been used by airlines around the world for a number of years, including by our partners American Airlines, Iberia and Qatar."

Reactions from the public are mixed, with some unhappy with the announcement while others are pleased.

“In a society which we’re trying to make more equal, British Airways is doing the opposite.” said one passenger to The Independent. “It’s very Kardashian, being ostentatious about wealth and status. Everyone will know how much money you’ve got based on where you are in the line.”

And many on Twitter, had something to say, both good and bad…

Over the moon to hear @British_Airways are introducing group based boarding come December. I'm sick of people calling "I'M BRONZE LET ME THROUGH!" in the priority lane like they're royalty. pic.twitter.com/ePWK1prXK1

— Rob de Canha-Knight (@rssfed23) November 17, 2017

No @britishairways @BA it’s pathetic and unnecessary. And your cabin crew just told me they first read it in the paper too #britishairways Buy Easyjet Plus. By cheap Easyjet seat. Board first why are you alienating passengers #britishairways ? https://t.co/gAnaD12Vmr

— daisy (@selectedhearing) November 20, 2017

But @BigAngryDave brings up a good point.

Not got a problem with @British_Airways i board last anyway but if it comes to a flight being overbooked who goes? Surely who bought the ticket last not the cheapest. #britishairways

— Bigangrydave (@Bigangrydave) November 20, 2017

And some, like @SonaliShah, even injected a little humour into the discussion.

I think the key to this is for passengers who’re called out last to be uber smug about how little they paid for the flight compared to everyone else. #britishairways https://t.co/ykUUrY5b86

— Sonali Shah (@SonaliShah) November 20, 2017

British Airways has also announced that they will invest $7.5 billion CA to improve the flying experience of its customers.

"The glory days are coming back.” said British Airways’ CEO Alex Cruz last week during his speech at World Travel Mart last week in London. “I firmly believe that our best days lie ahead."

British Airways has been plagued by negative headlines this year, including multiple computer system outages and bizarre incidents like a family dealing with bedbugs on a flight from Vancouver to London.

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