Airline passengers: prepare for more sales pitches
Airlines in the future will not be satisfied with nearly 12 percent revenues from onboard sales of food, drinks and other services. So passengers can expect an onslaught of such offerings, says GuestLogix.
The provider of onboard sales technology to the world’s airlines predicts that most future sales will be made from the entertainment systems installed in the seat backs rather than cart-pushing flight attendants.
“In the future, airlines are likely to expand such offerings to include “destination-based attractions,” such as car rentals and hotel reservations and more entertainment options, according to GuestLogix.
GuestLogix found that revenue from so-called “comfort items” such as headphones, blankets, pillows and in-flight entertainment jumped 70 percent in the first half of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.
“I think airlines are thinking about the passenger and trying to get them what they want,” said Chris Gardner, a managing director at GuestLogix, told the LA Times.
Prepared meals and other fresh food generated nearly three times as much as revenue as pre-packaged snacks in the first six months of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, reports the LA Times.
The new report confirmed what many assume: the longer the flight, the more airline sales and services — particularly when it comes to alcoholic drinks.
On flights under 500 miles, the average sale of alcoholic drinks was about $22, compared with $71 on flights over 1,500 miles, the report found.
“The longer the flight, passengers are less likely to wait until they are on the ground to buy food or have a drink,” the report said.
By David Wilkening
David
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