Is Paying for Speedy Boarding Worth It?

When booking a flight, most passengers are faced with the option of adding extras to their ticket. One of the most common upgrades is “speedy boarding”—a service that allows you to board the plane earlier than the general crowd. While it sounds like a great way to skip the line and avoid the rush, is it really worth the additional cost? Here, we’ll break down the pros and cons of speedy boarding to help you decide if it’s a good investment for your next flight.

What is Speedy Boarding?

Speedy boarding (sometimes called priority boarding) is an optional service offered by many airlines, particularly budget carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air, as well as full-service airlines. For an extra fee—typically ranging from £10 to £50 or more depending on the airline and route—passengers can board the plane before the general boarding process begins.

In addition to early boarding, some airlines include other perks with speedy boarding, such as:

• Priority seating: Guaranteed access to overhead bin space and possibly better seating options.
• Quicker check-in: At some airports, priority security lanes and check-in counters may be available.
• Extra baggage allowance: In some cases, priority boarding comes with a small increase in your baggage allowance.

But does paying for speedy boarding live up to the cost? Let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages to determine whether it’s really worth the money.

Pros of Speedy Boarding

1. Avoid the Stress of Long Lines

One of the biggest benefits of paying for speedy boarding is the ability to avoid long queues at the gate. Depending on the airline and airport, the general boarding process can feel chaotic and stressful, especially during peak travel times. With speedy boarding, you get to skip the line and board the plane earlier, which means less time spent waiting and more peace of mind as you settle into your seat. It also means that If you have a medical condition, you can request airport assistance which may quicken their response time.

2. Secure Overhead Bin Space

Another advantage of speedy boarding is securing overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage. As the general boarding process unfolds, overhead compartments can quickly fill up, leaving passengers scrambling for space or forced to check their bags. Early boarding ensures that you’ll find a convenient spot for your carry-on without the worry of having to gate-check it.

3. Choose Your Seat (If Available)

On certain airlines, priority boarding gives you the chance to choose from the best available seats, especially if you’re flying on a budget carrier where seating is typically assigned by the order of boarding. Whether it’s a window seat, an aisle seat, or just a spot that’s closer to the front of the plane for a quicker exit, paying for speedy boarding can guarantee you have a better chance of sitting where you prefer.

4. Additional Amenities

For those who are willing to pay a bit extra, some airlines bundle additional perks with speedy boarding, such as priority check-in, access to faster security lanes, or even a more generous baggage allowance. These extras can make your entire travel experience smoother and less stressful, particularly when you’re navigating a busy airport or catching a connecting flight.

Cons of Speedy Boarding

1. The Cost

The most obvious downside of speedy boarding is the added cost. While the price varies depending on the airline and route, the expense can quickly add up, especially for families or frequent travelers. If you’re flying with a budget airline, the cost of speedy boarding can sometimes approach the price of a second checked bag or even a round-trip flight on a less popular route. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, the cost may outweigh the benefits, and you might be better off saving your money for other necessities.

2. You’re Still Waiting on the Tarmac

While speedy boarding gets you on the plane earlier, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be seated any quicker. Sometimes, there’s still a significant amount of waiting time on the tarmac before takeoff, especially during peak times when flights are delayed or air traffic is heavy. So, if you’re paying extra just to be on the plane a few minutes earlier, you may find yourself sitting idle in your seat with no immediate payoff.

3. Limited Perks on Short Flights

For shorter flights, the advantages of speedy boarding may not be as significant. On a quick hop between cities, you may not need access to overhead storage space or the extra time to settle in. Plus, since the flight duration is short, the comfort of being seated a few extra minutes earlier is unlikely to make a substantial difference. In these cases, the cost of speedy boarding may not provide enough value to justify the extra expense.

4. Overcrowded Airports

At larger, busier airports, boarding processes can feel less organized, even with priority boarding. For instance, in major hubs like London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, or New York’s JFK, the sheer number of passengers boarding at the same time can make speedy boarding less advantageous. You might still face delays in reaching your seat as others are boarding around you, especially if the gate area is crowded.

5. No Guarantee of Immediate Takeoff

While priority boarding allows you to be one of the first to enter the plane, there’s no guarantee that the aircraft will depart quickly. Delays, whether from air traffic or technical issues, can still cause a prolonged wait, diminishing the benefit of early boarding. In cases of significant delays, you could still end up spending a lot of time on the plane before it even takes off, which means you may not get the value you were expecting.

Is It Worth It?

The decision of whether speedy boarding is worth it largely depends on your individual preferences, flight conditions, and the cost involved. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Long-Haul Flights: If you’re flying long-haul or transatlantic, paying for speedy boarding might be more worthwhile, as it can provide early access to overhead bin space, better seating, and extra comfort for the duration of the flight.
• Airport Size and Traffic: If you’re flying through a smaller or less busy airport, the benefits of speedy boarding might not be as noticeable. But at large, crowded airports, priority boarding could save you time and reduce stress.
• Short Flights: For short-haul flights, the cost of speedy boarding may not provide enough of an advantage to justify the fee, especially if you don’t mind waiting a little longer or if your flight is relatively low-stress.
• Family or Group Travel: If you’re traveling with a group or family, speedy boarding can help ensure that everyone can sit together and store their belongings in the overhead bins, which can be especially helpful when traveling with children or elderly passengers.

Conclusion

In the end, whether or not speedy boarding is worth it comes down to your travel priorities and the specific circumstances of your flight. If you value the convenience of avoiding queues, securing overhead bin space, and having a little extra time to settle in, it could be worth the extra cost. However, if you’re looking to keep your travel costs low, or if your flight is short and relatively uneventful, you might find that skipping speedy boarding is just fine.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on what will make your flying experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible—after all, sometimes the best part of air travel is the destination, not the boarding process!