Air Travel Trends: Looking Ahead to 2010

Rick Seaney reports:

The year 2010 sounds so far away, but – face it – it’s really just around the corner.

I was thinking about this, after being asked to participate in a panel discussion on the future of air travel – a discussion hosted by Southwest Airlines.

So will the future be all that different? To an extent. What I’ve done is isolate some of the trends I expect will continue – so take a look – and add to the list if you like, in the comments section.

14 AIR TRAVEL TRENDS: 2010

1. Decline of Human Interaction: it started with Alaska Airline’s “virtual customer service agent Jenn” and kiosks galore

* Ticket and luggage barcodes sent directly to phones, handheld devices
* Retinal scans at TSA checkpoints
* Noise-canceling headphones — for relief from the cell phones on planes

2. Airplane Cabins Resemble Subway Cars: the advertising age meets flying

* Ads on tray tables, overhead bins and boarding passes have already started
* Look for future ads on barf bags and on “free” blankets/pillows

>>Read Story

Hat tip: One Bag, One World

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