New In-cabin Technologies, Revenue Opportunities and Loyalty Program Changes are Redefining Travel’s Future, According to Latest Airline Information Report
Miami, FL (PRWEB) April 10, 2015 -- The airline industry and the way in which travelers experience airline brands in 2015 is already being redefined by new in-cabin technologies, better use of traveler data, more personalization to make travel offers most relevant and contextual to individuals’ needs, and updates to frequent flyer programs and the value of their currencies.
Those are some of the insights revealed in a new report called “Flying Forward: What the Future Holds for Airlines and the Travel Industry,” from Airline Information (http://www.airlineinformation.org), organizer of commercial airline, loyalty and co-brand card conferences across the globe.
Based on interviews with leading airline, loyalty, and travel technology experts who attended the 2014 Airline Information Annual Mega Event in New Orleans, the report lays out emerging trends, challenges and opportunities for airlines and travel brands in the coming years.
New Challenges and New Markets Create New Opportunities
“Airlines and the entire travel industry are finally embracing new mobile technologies and the better use of passenger data to create experiences that today’s travelers can enjoy more,” said Michael Smith, Managing Partner of Airline Information. “Airlines, airline marketers, and everyone in the travel chain can improve both their bottom lines and customer satisfaction scores by embracing some of the suggestions offered by leading these travel executives.”
Continued competition among major airlines, low-cost, and hybrid carriers has created incentives for airlines to provide more choices for passengers through retail partnerships, personalized services and more flexibility within their loyalty programs, added Chris Staab, co-founder and Managing Partner of Airline Information.
“Premium classes are becoming more premium, and economy classes are becoming more basic,” says Staab. “For many airlines, frequent flyer programs remain unchanged, so loyalty programs are becoming one way for passengers to access premium services without paying premium prices.”
Changes Ahead: In the Air, On the Ground, All Around
The 21-page report is available for download here. Some of the report’s insights include:
• Buoyed by an improving global economy, airlines are re-energizing their focus on revenue and income through partnerships, more opportunities to create revenue in the sky and on the ground, and initiatives that give passengers more of what they want – when they want it – throughout the journey, often via mobile devices.
• What happens inside the cabin is being transformed by new on-board technologies and mobile-driven data, including expanded opportunities for travelers to buy products and services before, during and after flights; more in-flight entertainment and better in-air connectivity; personalized interactions based on loyalty; improved on-board amenities and data-informed customer service.
• Loyalty programs are favoring higher spending over number of miles traveled, enabling members to earn/redeem rewards from a broader range of transactions, partners, outlets and events as they travel.
• Airlines are increasingly recognizing and embracing the “mobile-first” realities, challenges and opportunities that arise from air passengers’ reliance on ever-present smartphones, making it easier for them to find, book, board, pay for, upgrade, track and share memories in the mobile environment.
The report, Flying Forward: What the Future Holds for Airlines and the Travel Industry, includes interviews and contributions from many of world’s leading airline, loyalty and travel technology experts from Boxever, CellPoint Mobile, Connexions Loyalty, Datalex, EveryMundo, Expedia, Global Blue, GuestLogix, ICLP, IdeaWorksCompany, Points, and PointsHound.
To request an interview with Airline Information, or any of the report’s contributors, please contact Vanessa Horwell at ThinkInk on 305.749.5342 x232 or vhorwell(at)thinkinkpr(dot)com.
To download a copy of the 21-page report, Flying Forward: What the Future Holds for Airlines and the Travel Industry, visit http://thinkinkpr.com/airline-report.
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About Airline Information
Airline Information is an established leader and innovator in commercial aviation conferences. Since 2005, Airline Information has hosted thousands of airline and travel professionals at the company’s groundbreaking conferences, forums, workshops and networking events. Based in Florida, Airline Information provides research and data on loyalty and merchandising to airline and travel professionals, marketers, investment firms and suppliers. http://www.airlineinformation.org
Vanessa Horwell, ThinkInk PR, (305) 749-5342 Ext: 232, [email protected]
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