Mintel report reveals frequent flyer behaviour – 17 Aug 2007

The new Mintel report on scheduled airlines designates five million UK adults as "seasoned flyers” and suggests one in eight belong to an airline loyalty scheme.

Of these, 72% like to relax at an airport and more than half desire a special zone in which to do so.

Perhaps worryingly for Ryanair, easyJet and Flybe, which either already levy a fee for check-in luggage or soon will, the survey suggests 59% of these five million regular passengers will avoid any airline that charges for baggage.

EasyJet will introduce charges for all check-in bags in October, and both it and Flybe are increasingly targeting business travellers, who comprise a large proportion of Mintel's seasoned flyers

However, Mintel found twice as many adults (10.5 million) want to get through an airport as fast as possible – defying the airport operators' desire to see passengers hang around in departure areas shopping and eating.

The report describes these passengers, about 21% of the UK total for scheduled carriers, as reacting to airports "with distaste” – noting this dislike is especially prevalent among adults travelling with teenagers.

• British Airways dominates the UK's scheduled airline market, with almost one in five UK adults having flown with the carrier.

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