Gatwick airport will trial a new system to eliminate the rush for the boarding gate and the scramble to store luggage by inviting passengers to board according to their position on the plane.

The system will see those holding tickets for window seats board the aircraft first, followed by those holding middle and aisle tickets.

The trial at gate 101 will go on for two months and is targeted to stop lengthy queues and allow passengers less time standing in queues at the boarding gate.

The airport also hopes to cut boarding time and to reduce the number of delayed flights.

A graphic shows how the new boarding system will operate, with window passengers towards the back of the plane boarding first, filling the plane from the back

British passengers queue up in front of a gate as they wait for boarding at Dalaman Airport. Gatwick airport is trialling a new system to eliminate the rush for the boarding gate and the scramble to store luggage by inviting passengers to board according to their position on the plane

How will Gatwick's new boarding system work? To speed up the process passengers with window seats will board first, followed by those with middle and aisle tickets. Seats at the back of the plane will be filled before those further forward. 'Fast-track' customers and those with small children will still be allowed on the plane first. Digital displays will invite passengers to board and they will be expected to stay seated while they wait to be called. Those who miss their call will likely be pushed to the back of the queue. Advertisement

The new method is expected to allow Gatwick to board a flight of 158 passengers three minutes faster than usual.

Those who have paid for 'fast-track' boarding can get on their flight first under the current system as well as those with young children or mobility issues.

The move comes as Gatwick, the most delayed airport in Europe, attempts to improve its record for hold-ups. Last month the airport in West Sussex recorded 42.6 per cent of departing flights late by 15 minutes or more.

Abhi Chacko, head of digital innovation at the airport, told the Times: 'We want to explore whether boarding by seat number will avoid queues in the gate room and when boarding the aircraft.

'By communicating to passengers better and boarding passengers by seat number, we also expect to make the whole boarding experience more relaxing and, potentially, prevent passengers rushing forward at any stage.'