Delta, which has been working on baggage improvements over the past couple of years, is now planning to try for magic at the boarding gates, testing some new ideas and procedures at its Atlanta hub.
Since boarding lines have long been one of the most annoying parts of flying and the source of myriad complaints, that’s good news. The 3-month test at three gates will include
- Mobile agent pods that are modern podiums with a smaller footprint than traditional gate counters, opening up space for more efficient boarding and additional customer seating.
- Handheld Nomad devices that allow gate agents to make seat changes, check bag status and more, while also freeing agents to more easily engage with customers rather than standing behind a traditional gate counter.
- Boarding pillars (picture above) that create four parallel lanes, not only enhancing organization at the gate but also providing customers with a clear path to boarding, improving traffic flow.
- E-Gates that enable passengers to seamlessly and efficiently self-board by scanning their smart phone or boarding pass.
Let’s hope it all works!
