Delta Air Lines will soon update the way it boards passengers

I can see that travelers who don’t speak English well would appreciate having the boarding process simplified to be listening or watching for a number progression instead of “Comfort +” for instance.

Good point, Jean.

When I heard the change teased on the local news, I thought perhaps they were going to board 1st class and then back to front, which makes sense, yes? I would guess that'd make the people with status mad.

I think the problem is there are a lot of people out there who 10 years ago were a top-tier Delta elite passenger and so when they call that zone they race for the gate because “you know I used to be a diamond”. I think they’re hoping that numbers get that group to understand they’re no longer supposed to board first but I doubt it’s going to work.

British Airways has been using this system for some time but it still doesn't prevent hordes of people crowding around the gate as soon as the tannoy announcements start. People stand in line despite their tickets being in zone 3 or 4 whilst zone 1 passengers are being called to board, it often results in trying to guess whether someone is in line correctly or asking people what ticket they have just so you don't find yourself standing behind someone who hasn't be called to board.

Why wouldnt it be faster if they boarded all the window seats first maybe in sections, rear of the plane first then all the middle seats and last all the aisle seats? I note much time in boarding is spent with people already in their seats having to get up and move out into the aisle to allow a passenger sitting inside of them to take their seat which backs up all the passengers trying to get by in the aisle. Also aggravating is many people with over the alloted one check-on and one "personal item" are allowed to board at the gate when they can see the passenger is carrying more items than allowed which ends up filling up the overhead so us later boarders have to either waste time trying to find room in the overhead further back and then fighting your way back to your seat or surrender your carryon bag to be hopefully put in the checked bag hold, all of which wastes a lot of time. Then more hassle and delay when exiting the plane as you have to fight your way back to your bag and end up missing your connecting flight because of these stupid and rude passengers that are not controlled by the cabin crew. In my experience in the past few years specifically, the cabin crew make ZERO effort to help passengers load.