In 2024, with global passenger traffic expected to surpass 2019 levels, airlines are accelerating digital transformation to meet travelers' demands for seamless, personalized experiences. Top trends include AI-powered virtual assistants for 24/7 personalized services, contactless solutions like biometrics for touchless airport journeys, digital retail leveraging NDC and OOM for enhanced purchasing experiences, and big data analytics to gain insights across operations for improved customer service, efficiency, and safety. As consumer preferences evolve, airlines are embracing technologies like AI, contactless, digital retail, and big data to drive profitability while delivering the conveniences modern travelers crave.
The new generation of travelers now expects seamless, smarter and personalized travel experience. On their part, airlines are embracing new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Contactless Solutions, Big Data, Digital Retailing and automation to offer a suite of services to travelers. Building new digital capabilities offers the added advantage of improved profitability and reduced costs. The result: an accelerated pace of digital transformation in the aviation sector.
Here are the top trends that we believe will dominate the aviation sector this year.
AI-Powered 24×7 Virtual Assistance
Our smartphones, with AI-powered travel apps, execute the task of a personalized travel concierge, available 24×7. An AI buddy curates bespoke itineraries, based on our preferences and travel history, unlocks hidden gems and local experience. The app reminds us of health forms, luggage tracking, booking, and everything from flights to lounge access. It also keeps us posted with real-time updates, expected services, and information, just a click away. No, we are not talking about 2050: this will be the reality in a couple of years. AI Our smartphones, with AI-powered travel apps, execute the task of a personalized travel concierge, available 24×7. An AI buddy curates bespoke itineraries, based on our preferences and travel history, unlocks hidden gems and local experience. The app reminds us of health forms, luggage tracking, booking, and everything from flights to lounge access. It also keeps us posted with real-time updates, expected services, and information, just a click away. No, we are not talking about 2050: this will be the reality in a couple of years. AI
Contactless Solutions
IATA's (International Air Transport Association) 2023 survey reveals a clear demand for speed and convenience, especially among millennials, Gen Z, and frequent flyers who crave integrated digital journey experience. Additionally, SITA's (Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques ) Mega trends report echoes this need. The industry's search for scalable automation solutions on.
Airlines are focusing on:
- Embracing digital identities.
- Replacing manual checks with biometric authentication.
- Empowering passengers with self-service kiosks.
- Eliminating physical documents through secure digital wallets.
These steps fuel a contactless future where travel is faster, smoother, and more enjoyable for everyone.
Touchless airport journeys are now a reality. Thanks to the contactless airport technology solutions, like biometrics, touchless self-service devices, and infra-red sensors. This year, more airlines will be offering these solutions that allow travelers to transit through airports with minimal physical contact.
This shift not only overcomes resource constraints but also speaks to the evolving wants of modern travelers, paving the way for a smoother, safer, and delightful journey from check-ins and boarding to immigration checks and border control.
Digital Retail and Digital Economy
73% of travelers preference for card or digital payments. - IATA
The number speaks loudly about the rising demands for a frictionless travel experience. It’s not a surprise that airlines and airports are exploiting this opportunity by embracing technologies, like NDC and OOM to offer personalized services. Presently, tech-savvy travelers expect convenience and control. Therefore, airlines are pinpointing more on unleashing the potential of the digital economy. With mobile payments, airlines are eliminating unnecessary queues, streamlining operations and unlocking new revenue streams. Buy-now-pay-later alternatives attract new customer segments and data-driven insights fuel targeted marketing and dynamic pricing strategies. Airlines are trying to reap the benefits of both options. This year, the aviation industry is prepared to transform the traveler’s purchasing experience through personalization.
Big Data Analytics
Big data is more than just a buzzword and currently what aviation industry is harnessing is only the tip of the iceberg. The aviation industry generates a large volume of data and to make sense of it all, it needs big data analytics. Scanning through multiple funnels of information, including flight logs, traffic flows, airline services, and passenger experiences is not a human brain work. So, airlines are pairing AI with Data to make sense of a large amount of data, discover patterns, gain insights, and improve airline services, operations, and passenger experience based on it. As the trend suggests, this year airlines would be knuckling down to leveraging big data analytics to reap a range of benefits, such as:
- Improving customer service and UX.
- Augmented reality for airport navigation.
- More comfortable and safer flights.
- Reducing flight delays and cancellations.
The Takeaway
If you wish to stay ahead of the curve and take full advantage of these digital trends in aviation, get in touch. Our experts can help you choose the relevant technology to benefit your operations. Embrace change and propel to new heights!
