Steffen Boarding Method

The Steffen Boarding Method, also known as the Steffen Perfect or simply the Steffen Method is a proposed "perfect aeroplane boarding method" that would enable optimally fast and convenient way of sequencing passengers. The method was first introduced by astrophysicist Jason Steffen in 2008.[1]

The method attempts to eliminate the buffers that slow down plane boarding,[2] while simultaneously optimising speed and efficiency. The method has been criticised for its lack of human headway, as it would separate those boarding in groups, require a perfectly organised line, as well as uniform stowing and seating time. Steffen initially published his theory in 2008 in the Journal of Air Transport Management,[3] and showed that his method was twice as fast as the standard back-to-front method, and 20-30% faster than random boarding groups.[3]

In 2014, Steffen told Wired that despite the popularity of the method among passengers since the paper's publication, no airline had adopted the method as of yet.[4]

  1. ^ Milne, R. John; Kelly, Alexander R. (2014-01-01). "A new method for boarding passengers onto an airplane". Journal of Air Transport Management. 34: 93–100. doi:10.1016/j.jairtraman.2013.08.006. ISSN 0969-6997.
  2. ^ Stromberg, Joseph (25 April 2014). "The way we board airplanes makes absolutely no sense". Vox.
  3. ^ a b Frost, Natasha (17 January 2020). "We're closer than we've ever been to the ideal airplane boarding procedure". Quartz. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  4. ^ Stockton, Nick (2014-11-04). "What's Up With That: Boarding Airplanes Takes Forever". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2020-08-06.