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arXiv:1108.5211physics.soc-ph

Experimental test of airplane boarding methods

Jason H. Steffen, Jon Hotchkiss

Abstract

We report the results of an experimental comparison of different airplane boarding methods. This test was conducted in a mock 757 fuselage, located on a Southern California soundstage, with 12 rows of six seats and a single aisle. Five methods were tested using 72 passengers of various ages. We found a significant reduction in the boarding times of optimized methods over traditional methods. These improved methods, if properly implemented, could result in a significant savings to airline companies.

arXiv comments
8 pages, submitted to the Journal of Air Transport Management
Journal reference
Jour. Air. Trans. Mgmt., Vol. 18, Issue 1, pp. 64-67, (2012)
DOI
doi:10.1016/j.jairtraman.2011.10.003
Subjects
physics.soc-phPhysics and Society astro-ph.IMInstrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics

On Hacker News

Linked by 2 identifiable commenters in 3 comments across 2 threads, from Aug 2011 to Aug 2011.

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Discussed in comments2 threads

  1. Physicist cuts plane boarding time in half 2 comments

    • The source paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/1108.5211

      LiveTheDreamView on HNParent context

    • This has been going on for over 2 1/2 years now. At that time we had this item submitted: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=419360 It looks like it's the same physicist, and the same algorithm. Further more, HN had pretty much exactly the same discussion. Plus ça change, plus…

      ColinWrightView on HNParent context

  2. Astro Physicist figures out fastest boarding plan 1 comment

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