IATA survey highlights passenger demand for convenience through technology

"Technology continues to change the way people plan, book and pay for travel. Travelers expect the same conveniences when shopping for travel that they get in any other online shopping experience," commented Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services.

At airports, travelers desire quick access to boarding gates: 70% wish to reach their gate within 30 minutes with carry-on luggage. A significant portion is open to sharing immigration data beforehand to expedite procedures; 85% are willing to share such information with authorities.

"The clear message from travelers is that they expect to board their planes faster with technology and smarter processes beginning well before they reach the airport," said Careen.

Younger generations show a strong preference for digital solutions. Among those under 25 years old, 51% would opt for digital wallets over traditional methods. Furthermore, there is considerable interest in integrating smartphones with digital wallets for various aspects of travel.

Regional trends reveal distinct preferences across different areas:

- African passengers value convenience but face limited options due to fewer alternatives.

- Asia-Pacific travelers focus on price-conscious decisions and lead in mobile app usage.

- European passengers prefer airline websites for bookings but show caution towards digital solutions.

- Middle East passengers choose airports based on facilities while actively using smartphone-based technologies.

- North American travelers favor debit or credit card payments while showing high satisfaction with biometric identification.

- Latin America and Caribbean passengers prefer flexible payment options like installments.

For further details or inquiries regarding the survey results, contact Corporate Communications at IATA.