Latvia’s flagship carrier, AirBaltic, is rolling out a new boarding method designed to make getting on planes quicker, calmer, and more organised. Starting October 6, passengers will board their flights in specific groups, which will be clearly indicated on their boarding passes. This change aims to reduce congestion at the gate and create a more comfortable experience for travellers.
How Group Boarding Works and Benefits Passengers
The new boarding process divides passengers into several categories, allowing for a smoother flow onto the aircraft. Pre-boarding remains available for families with young children and passengers who require assistance. Then, boarding proceeds by groups based on ticket type and seating assignments:
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Pre-boarding: Passengers needing special assistance and families with kids.
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Group 1: Business Class travellers and airBaltic’s VIP and Executive Club members.
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Group 2: Economy FLEX ticket holders, corporate travellers, and passengers with prepaid heavy cabin baggage.
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Groups 3 to 5: Remaining passengers board by assigned seat order.
A Modern Approach Rooted in Industry Best Practices
The new boarding system has been designed using insights from top airlines and global best practices, ensuring it meets both passenger needs and operational efficiency goals. airBaltic encourages all flyers to pay close attention to their boarding group, whether their pass is printed or digital, to avoid delays.
Having grown steadily over the past three decades, airBaltic now connects the Baltic region to over 80 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus. This development in boarding procedures marks the airline’s ongoing commitment to improving passenger experience while maintaining reliable service. See more about AirBaltic HERE.
How Clear Boarding Groups Improve Efficiency
Laura Vecvanaga-Puķīte, SVP of Ground Operations and Customer Care at airBaltic, highlights that the new boarding system brings greater clarity and calm to the gate area. By inviting passengers in clearly defined groups, the airline reduces congestion, speeds up boarding, and helps crew members get everyone seated more quickly. This approach maintains pre-boarding for those who need extra assistance and families with young children, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience that supports better on-time performance for all flights.
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