FLIGHT experts have revealed the new ‘Wilma’ technique that lets passengers board planes much faster.
Holidaymakers could avoid flight delays with this new boarding method.
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Airlines are looking for the most effective system to board travellers as flight delays can cost them thousands in compensations.
In response, companies have introduced a new method found to be effective when boarding dozens of people at the same time.
Major American airline United Airlines plans to change its boarding process and put the system to the test.
The ‘Wilma’ system stands for “window-middle-aisle” and lets passengers board depending on their seat position.
Those seated by a window board first, followed by those seated in the middle, and finally those on the aisle.
In more traditional systems, airlines often board passengers from the back of the plane to the front.
However, experts say the ‘Wilma’ method can save up carriers valuable minutes compared to the old system.
United Airlines tested the process at four boarding points during different domestic airports.
Reports found that the back-to-front technique had a boarding time of 24 minutes and 29 seconds.
But ‘Wilma’, proved to be 10 minutes faster – with all passengers able to get into the plane at 14 minutes and 55 seconds.
United Airlines aims to introduce ‘Wilma’ starting October 26 on US, transatlantic, and transpacific routes.
However, some experts admitted the technique could be improved and there are other alternatives airlines can use.
Physics and Astronomy professor from University of Nevada Jason Steffen said: “There is room for improvement.”
Instead, the expert proposed a different system he called the ‘Steffen method’.
He said it’s more effective to board passengers in the same window, middle, aisle order.
And limiting how many passengers can board at one time within each group.
Those with window seats in odd-numbered rows enter before passengers with window seats in even-numbered rows.
It allows people space to place their bags and luggage into the overhead bins.
According to experts, airlines today stick to a front-to-back, row-by-row system because it’s simply more lucrative.
Former airline executive Robert Mann said: “There’s this constant battle between wanting to do something that raises revenue and something that improves customer experience.”
It comes as a frequent flyer revealed his hack for getting a better seat on a plane, but it’s one that can come with a catch.
Getting an upgrade to a better seat is something that most people can only dream of, but there are ways to get somewhere better to sit without paying extra.
Elsewhere, a man revealed his unique method for keeping the seats next to him empty on flights – with people calling it “creepy”.
In a video on TikTok, user Mike Davis showed how he makes sure that no one sits next to him after boarding a plane, by enthusiastically inviting them to join him in his row.
