Experienced travelers well versed in the ways of finding cheap airplane tickets and cheap travel packages generally would be appreciative if airlines could find a faster more efficient way to board passengers.
A recent study revealed that the standard method of boarding passengers by row block is not the most efficient way to board. According to astrophysicist, Jason Steffen, who works with Batavia based Fermilab, such a boarding approach is in fact the least efficient.
Passengers have long complained about boarding planes because they are often stalled by other passengers blocking their way while they stow large carry-on bags in overhead bins.
Steffen tested five different boarding approaches including back to front, window seats then middle and isle seats, and block row boarding. 72 people were hired to test these methods in a mock 757 fuselage with 12 rows of six seats and a single aisle on a Hollywood soundstage. Steffen timed each method.
His results showed that boarding by alternating rows was most efficient, followed by boarding window to seat and third, letting passengers board randomly. Steffen found that all of these methods were faster than block row boarding.
Alternating row boarding, now being referred to as the Steffen Method, provides passengers room to place their carry-on in overhead bins while other passengers find their seats. This method, if followed, could result in significant time savings to airlines and their passengers, according to Steffen.
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