In order to get to our Iberian flight to Spain, we had to take an Amercan Airlines flight to Miami. That Embraer 175 has a total of 42 seats. Small planes like this are quick to board and quick to “de-plane”.
Of course rather than having some logical boarding process, they have groups that make no senses. In fact there were 9 official groups. Plus the military, families, High Status members and first class. Being in group 9 meant we were the last to board.
But a total of 12 groups (I think group 1 was first class) would mean about 3 people per group. But the preboard and first class was a quarter of the plane. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were empty. Groups 5 and 6 were another quarter. No one in 7 and 8, then the rest of us rush the gate.
It’s just nuts.
Looking at our boardng pass for Iberia we were in group 4! No fighting the big crowds. Then we discovered group 4 was the last group. Welcome to an even larger crowd inching towards the gate.
Eventually we were loaded on the massive Airbus and were on our way.
International flights do have some plusses. We were served dinner with wine and breakfast.
There have to be better and faster ways to board a plane.