Younger travellers want airports to use technology to enhance their airport experience – but older travellers are more wary.
A total of 2,110 people were asked about their wishlist for ‘an airport lounge of the future’ in a poll by in-flight entertainment firm Spafax.
The results revealed:
• 37% of people aged 18 to 34 would play augmented reality (AR) board games with other passengers but only 9% of those aged 55 and over would
• 17% of 18-24-year-olds would like to try on hologram clothes at an airport, while only 6% of those 55 and over would.
• 36% of women would choose a virtual reality (VR) preview of tourist attractions at their destination in an airport lounge, along with the opportunity to pre-book tickets once they had browsed
A second survey, which asked respondents to envisage an upcoming long haul flight from London to New York, showed that 38% wanted artificial intelligence to help speed up the airport process and 35% wanted it to give information on news in their destination while on the flight.
Charles Vine, head of brand alliances at Spafax said: “We commissioned this research to find out what the British public actually wants out of their airport and airport lounge experiences.
“Airport lounges in particular are evolving from faceless waiting rooms with chairs and a coffee machine to being providers of an experience in their own right.
“The results send a clear message to us that people want the introduction of technology, but only in a way that enhances their trip, entertains or is enjoyable.
“Twenty seven per cent were against being helped by AI for a hypothetical upcoming trip, whereas a resounding 68% of the British public did want artificial intelligence AI to help them get the most out of their time at the airport – whether that be assistance navigating the airport terminals or speeding up the check-in process.”