Airline passengers seek new technologies that make their travels more efficient and gives them more information and control, according to a survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In the 2018 Global Passenger Survey, IATA had 10,408 responses from 145 countries. Among the findings:
Passengers would like to be updated on flight status, baggage and wait times for security/immigration on personal devices. More than half of survey participants felt baggage tracking is a must.
Despite privacy concerns, 45 percent are willing to replace passports with biometric identification, and 65 percent are willing to share personal data to expedite security.
Passengers consider going through security a nuisance. The top complaints were having to remove personal items and lack of consistency in screenings.
The majority of passengers, 84 percent, would prefer automated check-in.
“Airports and airlines are eager to meet evolving passenger expectations,” Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security, said. “But making the right strategic choices among all the potential innovations is not an easy task. And aligning those choices into a seamless curb-to-gate experience needs a common vision. That’s why we have joined forces with Airports Council International in the New Experience in Travel and Technologies program.”