Have you ever wondered why commercial airlines board passengers from the front to the back? Conventional wisdom may lead you to believe that it’s more efficient to board in the opposite manner. Boarding passengers from the back to the front, for instance, gives passengers the opportunity to place their carry-on bags in the overhead compartments. As a result, other passengers can follow behind them without waiting. While this may sound like the most efficient process, though, most commercial airlines board passengers from the front to the back.
Maintains Balanced Weight Distribution
The main reason commercial airlines board passengers from the front to the back is to maintain balanced weight distribution. It ensures that neither the front nor the back of the airplane is bearing too much weight. Airplanes, of course, are typically heavier in the back. The back is where the engines are located. If commercial airlines boarded passengers from the back to the front, it will add more weight to this area. All of this weight could cause the back of the airplane to sink down while potentially sustaining damage.
Commercial airlines can maintain balanced weight distribution for their respective airplanes by boarding passengers from the front to the back. The back of the airplane will already bear a substantial amount of weight from its engines. Therefore, loading passengers from the front to the back will help to distribute the weight. As the front of the airplane fills with passengers, it will balance out the weight of the back. Other passengers can the be boarded in the back of the airplane.
Prioritizes First-Class Passengers
Of course, boarding passengers from the front to the back also gives first-class passengers priority. Passengers often purchase first-class tickets to experience a more relaxing and less-stressful flight experience. By boarding passengers from the front to the back, commercial airlines can prioritize their first-class passengers. First-class seating is usually found in the front of airplanes. With this boarding method, first-class passengers are given priority. They can find and take their seats more quickly, resulting in a more enjoyable flight experience.
In Conclusion
Most commercial airlines board passengers from the back to the front to maintain balanced weight distribution. This is the most common boarding process used by commercial airlines. With front-to-back boarding, the amount of weight airplanes bear is equally distributed.
