Virgin America to Allow “No Bag” Passengers to Board First

October 21, 2009 | Posted in: Bags, Virgin America

Here’s what I think is a pretty good idea, as first reported by Cranky Flyer:

Virgin America is going to begin testing (at some airports) a new boarding plan that would allow passengers without bags to get on the plane first.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? After all, these won’t be the folks jockeying for bin space – they’ll just move on in and sit down – and then, let the jockeying begin.

What those innovative Virginites are trying to do, it seems, is to create a faster boarding process.

And it might also be a reward, I suppose, for those who pay to check a bag. Hey, why not? And, presumably one will still be allowed a “personal item” to carry on board – as I see it, this process will only truly work if folks’ personal items do not go in the overhead bin.

Just thinking out loud here – and what do you think?

Hat tip to Jaunted.

7 Responses to “Virgin America to Allow “No Bag” Passengers to Board First”

1. Robb says:

   October 21, 2009 at 5:58 pm

   I think it’s a dumb idea. The only reason I ever want to get on board first is to get an overhead bin if I have a bag to check. If I don’t have a bag, then I want to get on at the last possible minute to minimize my imprisonment.
2. Ben says:

   October 21, 2009 at 7:13 pm

   This is such a sleazy move by Virgin America. They just want to convince people to check bags so they can charge them an extra $15. Even though this airline tries to make themselves seem like the airline of the people, I can see the day when they charge to use the bathroom. I’ve never seen people trying to hide their greed so much.
3. LA boy says:

   October 21, 2009 at 10:43 pm

   Yup, this happened to me last month @ SFO. I only had a backpack, and I, along with like 20 others who only had backpacks, were allowed to board first. Love the idea.
4. KC says:

   October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am

   Great idea! Virgin should also allow those without carry-on baggage to exit the plane first
5. JSchaff says:

   October 22, 2009 at 9:50 am

   If you are the first on, and you pick a front seat which is what is intended, then you will be the first off, too.
6. Guest says:

   January 17, 2010 at 7:43 pm

   Yesterday was the first time I heard of this. When the initial boarding call is heard, everyone got up and crowded around the gate (has no one flown before?). They first ask for the priority/business class, then the carry-on only. That wastes another few minutes waiting for anyone to come towards the gate.

   The biggest problem is those overhead bag passengers. All airlines should force those with overhead bags to the back, but they get to board first. As they try to fit it in the bins, the light travelers will board last and by the time they finish, everyone should be done and good to go. As a reward, the light travelers get to leave first.
7. Rick Seaney says:

   January 18, 2010 at 12:48 am

   Guest,

   Well, that “no bag” passengers boarding first was a limited time experiment; but I know all the airlines are working on this because the sooner they get everyone on board, the sooner the plane can leave, and the better chance the airline has of hitting its “on time arrival” target.

   Rick