Whether it's online or at the airport, everybody has to check in before a flight ExXB...

Easyjet are quoted in the report as saying that this will be a cost neutral move. I interpret this to mean that they have priced the product at a level which reaps the same revenue which they will lose by not having speedy boarding anymore (though I stand to be corrected).*

From what I can gather, the speedy boarding option has been removed from those flights which have assigned seating and passengers are boarded according to seat number.*

*

The seats will be pre-allocated before check in even opens and will be assigned to passengers. Every effort will be taken to seat everyone together (those on separate bookings can even call the call centre to assist in this) but like unallocated seating and the tradditional allocated seating, when flights are over 90% full it may prove difficult yo have everyone physically sat next to each other. Even then, from experience of unallocated seats, it only tends to affect less than 5 people.

When it comes to seating everyone together it doesn't matter how seats are allocated or not allocated, on a full flight it is usually a physical impossibility. That is even before we get into peoples individual preferences.

Either way, it is a step forward.

Thank you Easyflyer83. At what point does the passenger become aware of their assigned seat number? Is it possible to change it once it has been allocated? Hypothetically, if a passenger wants an aisle seat but doesn't pay for assigned seating (holding out for the 33% chance that the system will automatically assign them an aisle seat), is there any way they could change seats if it wasn't what they wanted?

Agreed! :ok:

AFAIK they will find out at the airport and they won't be able to change the seat. If this was the case then Easy wouldn't succeed in seating as many people together as possible....it just wouldn't work. However, if you are travelling as a family or group then it is pretty likely you will get one of every seat (i.e window, middle, aisle) and so can choose amongst your group. If you are travelling alone then it is just £3 to choose your seat between rows 7-26 (A319) and 8-31 (A320) excluding the overwing exits.

Even for a family of 4 under a tight budget, in a difficult economic climate, £12 (per sector) is pretty good value compared to other carriers. I paid 20AUD for a single selected seat on QF.

Speeding Boarding Card Holders will get free seat selection and still be the first to board the aircraft.