What is the most efficient way to load passengers into an aircraft: randomly; in blocks; or the passengers in window seats first, followed by those in middle seats, then those in aisle seats? (cont鈥檇)
Greg Blonder
Mechanical engineering department, Boston University, US
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There is a mechanical engineering reason to board from the front. Depending on how far the tail section cantilevers beyond the rear wheels, the passengers鈥� weight can cause the plane to seesaw down onto the ground.
Similar issues can occur when filling the cargo bay.
Rob Wallace
Paynesville, Victoria, Australia
It was good to read contributions on the perennial problem of aircraft boarding (11 February), especially the comment that the 鈥淔lying Carpet鈥� method is claimed to be the quickest of all. [Ed. 鈥� in this method, passengers assemble in groups in the corridor leading to the plane, where the floor is marked with a grid corresponding to their seat numbers. Passengers then board in this exact order.]
It is true, it was the fastest of all methods tested during an independent series of trials conducted over a month at Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg, Russia. Unlike other trials, these were conducted under real-world conditions at a commercial airport with normal scheduled flights and real passengers.
A significant finding was that placement of the Flying Carpet immediately after where boarding passes were checked was best. It enabled passengers to easily arrange themselves in row order before walking to the plane.
It was also easier for staff to manage and avoided the problem that plagues all other methods: the irresistible urge by many passengers to surge towards the gate when boarding commences, regardless of announcements.
Another significant finding was that small groups of 15 to 20 worked best. Not surprising really, as that is about the maximum number that can comfortably fit along the length of an aircraft aisle, with each having plenty of elbow room to stow their bags and get seated efficiently. Obviously, this requires more groups, but it was actually quicker overall than with fewer, larger groups, as the small groups follow each other in quick succession.
With a group arriving every 45 seconds, 10 groups of 15 people could get aboard the aircraft and seated with their baggage stowed within 9 minutes.
Other refinements were about to be tested in late 2019, but, alas, covid-19 intervened and the trials had to be abandoned. Disappointing, yet perhaps a blessing in disguise as it revealed another advantage of the Flying Carpet system 鈥� there is much less chance of infection transfer because the reduced mingling of passengers means less exposure to pathogens.
I am the inventor of the Flying Carpet system, but (regrettably) with no commercial involvement in airlines or aviation 鈥� I am just a retired design engineer who likes to solve problems. For more information, go to .
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