why are airlines not requesting people with children to board first.?

Question

I remember airlines asking for people with disabilities and parents with infants to board first. Why has this changed. Now I see the first class and business members board first. In fact they should board last as they sit in front rows.

Answer 1

Several things about this topic.

1) Not all airlines do that. Southwest Airlines, for example, always has parents with small children board first. It's usually over a dozen or so for each flight.

2) Most other airlines do allow for pre-boarding if you ask for it and have a valid reason. Most people just don't ask for it, and it doesn't show up when someone who requires pre-board buys their ticket from a "cheap airline ticket site" ... If they don't know anyone requires pre-board, they won't ask.

3) First and Business class board first because we paid more money and therefore get first dibs on overhead bin space and closets for hanging coats/jackets. We don't mind getting on board first because we have a more comfortable seat than there is in the waiting area at the gate.

4) First and Business class get on board first because some of them may have just upgraded from coach class on the same flight, thus giving the gate crew a chance to prepare ticketing for those on stand-by who could claim the now empty seat at the last minute.

5) First and Business class get on board first to avoid the madhouse rush that always seems to happen when all the people in "GROUP 5" rush to the front to get on board and block the door when "GROUP 1" is called.

6) First and Business class are generally more experienced travelers and can find their seats and stow their gear a lot faster than the average first-time or infrequent coach passenger. Granted, not all coach passengers are not frequent travelers--but likely not as frequent as the first/business class cabin.

7) Some airlines that cater to business travelers tend to not offer pre-boarding to families as a discouragement to families for flying their airline. They're saying "You got a family? Please fly Southwest!" (this last one is just a guess on my part, though)

Answer 2

They pay more money. They need to get on the plane first so they can drink their complimentary wine/champagne.

Answer 3

children get bored quicker and shouldnt be kept seated for longer than needed