Seating on Northwest Now Random
June 21, 2006
Northwest Airlines is moving to a new random boarding process for coach sections.
Northwest spokesman Dean Breest said tests earlier this year showed its new system cuts five to 10 minutes from the process, USA Today reported. Breest said the randomness of the new procedure cuts down on aisle congestion.
The airline is still boarding first travelers with a disability, families with children, first-class passengers and elite-level frequent fliers. After that, passengers board in whatever order they line up, the newspaper said.
Northwest’s flights returning from Europe will continue to be boarded by rows, following the process used by KLM, Northwest’s European partner.