Travellers shun high street agents for flight tickets
Wednesday, 16 Apr, 2010
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The majority of travellers do not use high street travel agents to book airline tickets, a new poll reveals.
The survey of more than 2,800 people found that 85% of respondents now buy their flight tickets online, either direct with the airline or through an online travel agent.
The study found that 89% have used a flight comparison website to check prices before making an airline booking.
The European Flights Survey by TripAdvisor asked travellers about topical air travel issues, including their best and worst airline, overweight passengers, in-flight mobile phones and even ‘mile high club’ membership.
“The findings reveal that British air travellers are increasingly savvy about searching out the most competitive fare and are more aware than ever of additional airline fee,” a TripAdvisor spokeswoman said.
“With passionate debate around extra fees for toilets, larger passengers and baggage unlikely to go away, it is all the more important for travellers to plan ahead to get information before they book.”
Travellers gave a mixed view on British Airways which was ranted as British travellers’ second favourite airline behind Virgin Atlantic.
But there is still mixed feeling among passengers because BA also takes the second spot in the least favourite airline category.
Ryanair is voted the nation’s least favourite airline.
When asked which airline travellers had never flown but would most like to, Emirates came out on top. Next on the wish list was Singapore Airlines, followed by Cathay Pacific and then Virgin Atlantic.
Air fare price is by far the most important factor for travellers when choosing an airline. This trumps departure times, legroom and even safety considerations.
There were 2,868 travellers – including 936 Britons – who took part in the survey.
Favourite Airlines
1. Virgin Atlantic
2. British Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Emirates
5. Thomson Airways
Least Favourite Airlines
1. Ryanair
2. British Airways
3. easyJet
4. Monarch
5. Thomson Airways
Of those who have been affected by airline strikes in the last six months almost a third (30%) are adamant they will never use that particular airline again, another third (34%) would continue to use it and 32% are still unsure.
More than one in 10 (12%) claim not to feel as safe when flying on a low cost airline despite no evidence or data to support this while 80% support airport body scanners as an additional airport security measure.
Rude seat recliners are the biggest in-flight travel annoyance with over a quarter (28%) angered by this.
Badly behaved children come a close second with a quarter (25%) of passengers irate about children kicking the back of their seat and a fifth (18%) annoyed by parents not controlling noisy children.
Mobile phones on aircraft are still unwelcome, with 84% against them. But Brits are more tolerant of in-flight internet – two thirds (67%) believe Wi-Fi should be available on flights, yet only 10% would be willing to pay extra for the privilege.
With some airlines now charging a ‘fat tax’, more than two thirds (69%) of British travellers believe overweight passengers should pay for two airline seats.
Only three per cent of people admitted joining the ‘mile high club’ during a flight, yet almost a third (30%) admit they would like to in the future. Two thirds (67%) would not even consider it.
“The airline industry has seen some major developments in the last six months, from body scanners and strikes to planned additional charges for toilets and overweight passengers," said the spokeswoman.
“The survey reveals everything from how we book our tickets to the top in-flight passenger annoyances and serves as a useful barometer on how well airlines are currently performing in the reputation stakes.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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