The Lack of Efficient Boarding Practices in Airlines

When it comes to air travel, boarding the aircraft is often considered one of the most challenging and frustrating parts of the journey. Leslie Josephs, CNBC’s airline reporter, acknowledges this common sentiment among passengers.

In the 1970s, Southwest Airlines had an impressive average turn time of just 10 minutes from gate arrival to departure. However, with larger aircraft and increased popularity, the average turn time has now extended to around 45 to 55 minutes.

Chris Parks, Southwest’s director of innovation, explains the growth of the airline and the need to adapt to accommodate more passengers.

According to government data, flight delays cost airlines and passengers approximately $33 billion annually. However, experts note that expediting the boarding process is not a priority for airlines as they have found profitable opportunities throughout the process.

Leslie Josephs emphasizes the importance of loyalty programs for major airlines, which have generated significant revenue. This incentivizes airlines to maintain appealing programs that reward their top customers, leading to the emergence of various boarding groups.

The former senior vice president of customer service at American Airlines, Kerry Philipovitch, acknowledges that these boarding groups contribute to potential delays but serve as a means of generating revenue.

Southwest has been actively testing new concepts since the end of 2022 to improve turn times, aiming to reduce them by two minutes. This seemingly small reduction has significant implications for an airline like Southwest with nearly 800 aircraft, as it allows for enhanced reliability, increased flight frequency, and ultimately lower costs.

CNBC had the opportunity to witness Southwest’s study firsthand in Atlanta.

Watch the video above to delve into the details.