Although you may not believe it, boarding passengers on a plane is one of the most difficult operational processes of airlines. It may seem simple and predictable to passengers, but " boarding " is a complex stage with rigorous logistics behind it, designed to reduce the time spent on the ground and ensure maximum efficiency. Romania, through its major airports, Otopeni, Cluj-Napoca and Iași, could implement on a large scale internationally tested methods to improve this stage and reduce unnecessary waiting and flight delays, thus gaining customer respect and higher competitiveness in the regional market.

Jason discusses in new book "Hidden In The Heavens."

Dr. Jason Steffen, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, joins Lisa to talk about the new boarding method that United Airlines rolled out last month. While United claims their new boarding method will ease frustrations, Dr. Steffen says he has an even more efficient way. Dr. Steffan also previews his new book: “Hidden in the Heavens”

Travelers have spent years proving that the honor system doesn't allow for an orderly boarding process on airplanes, so now American Airlines is testing a way to make sure people actually board with their assigned group.

Travelers have spent many years proving the honor system doesn't make for an orderly airplane boarding process, so now American Airlines is testing a way to make sure people actually board with their assigned group.

Although it’s hard to spot without a decent telescope, the mini moon is here through Nov. 25. The only similarity between the mini moon and Earth’s moon is they are both made of rocks, said Jason Steffen, an astrophysicist at UNLV.

It’s an important week for Southwest Airlines, as the carrier prepares to announce more details about its move away from the open seating model that’s long been its trademark. That's a major change for the Dallas-based carrier — one that Southwest has been considering since at least 2006.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you need an advanced degree to understand airplane boarding. In fact, even scientists have tried to crack the mystery of why boarding a plane can take so long. As airlines experiment with different methods, carriers have introduced processes so complex that they include as many as 10 different boarding groups — and even those in “Group 1” might find themselves boarding behind others. If you’re curious about this often-dreaded part of the air travel experience, take a closer look at how airlines determine how to board a plane.