Look-Ahead Airline Seat Allocation: Enhancing Efficiency in Passenger Transfers at Hub Airports

This study examines the effect of seat assignment strategies on the transfer time of connecting passengers at a hub airport. Passenger seat allocation significantly influences disembarkation times, which can increase the risk of missed connections, particularly in tight transfer situations. We propose a novel seat assignment strategy that allocates seats to nonpaying passengers after check-in, prioritising those with tight connections. This approach diverges from traditional methods focused on airline turnaround efficiency, instead optimizing for passenger transfer times and reducing missed connections. Our simulation, based on real-world data from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, demonstrates that this passenger-centric model decreases missed connections by 12%, enhances service levels, reduces airline compensation costs, and improves airport operations. The model accounts for variables such as seat occupancy,
luggage, and passenger type (e.g., business, leisure) and is tested under various scenarios, including air traffic delays.