Australian Business Traveller

Qantas trials Platinum frequent flyer priority domestic boarding

By John Walton Filed under:

published 30 Aug, 2011
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Update

Qantas will launch dedicated ‘express lanes’ at airports around Australia beginning this month, allowing business class passengers and Platinum-grade frequent flyers to skip the boarding gate queue for domestic flights – read our latest story for more information.

Qantas' Platinum Frequent Flyers and business class passengers will be able to whizz through domestic flight boarding queues at Sydney Airport during a trial of priority boarding for top-tier passengers.

Identical to the system already in place on Qantas' international services, the system provides an 'express lane' for business class passengers and Qantas' Platinum Frequent Flyers (including the new Platinum One tier).

Oneworld Emerald frequent flyer counterparts from partner airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific and American Airlines are also eligible for the VIP treatment.

Bright, cheerful signage helps direct passengers to the appropriate lane.

The priority boarding trial was introduced without fanfare and is currently running at Gate 8 in Sydney Airport domestic terminal 3, so don't expect to sidestep the queue at other airports or even other gates at Sydney.

What do you think about the trial? Share your thoughts with other AusBT readers below, or drop us a tweet: @AusBT.

About John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.

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Twitter: @thatjohn

1 on 30/8/11 by SidJames

What do I think about the trial? I think odd comes to mind. Domestic priority boarding has been a published benefit for Platinum frequent fliers for some time and Qantas has failed to deliver it. Virgin and even Jetstar can do it, but Qantas, only now decides to runs some trials.

Am I missing something or is this a hugely complex benefit to deliver?

It will be interesting to see the reaction of Gold frequent flyers as the oddly worded "boarding at convenience" is a oneworld benefit.

2 on 31/8/11 by Chloeglow

It finally seems Qantas is now chasing the tails of Virgin. Domestically, Virgin was the first to introduce this.