Passengers will be able to download content for their flight, including books and films, from airport media kiosks in the near future.
Research by SITA shows that almost one-quarter of airlines (22%) will offer such a service by 2018.
And, by the end of 2018, the majority of airlines (66%) will offer wireless internet and multi-media services on passenger devices, giving passengers greater ability to choose their own in-flight relaxation and entertainment, according to SITA’s Airline IT Trends Survey
Also in its infancy is a ‘virtual concierge’ for passengers, delivering airport shopping to gates and lounges. Around one in five airlines plans to introduce such a service over the next three years, which 82% of airlines will invest in improving personalization, with over 75% of airlines planning major programs to deliver passenger services through smartphones in the next three years.
By 2018, over five times as many airlines (67%) will offer a highly personalized smartphone booking experience compared to today.
While the traditional airport desk will remain the single most used check-in channel through to 2018, mobile devices will overtake web check-in as the number two choice with 24% of passengers using a mobile device compared to 20% checking in on a laptop or desktop.
Automatic check-in is also set to more than double over the next three years. Today 22% of airlines use the system to check in 4% of passengers.
By 2018, 68% of carriers will have automatic check-in on some routes with 10% of passengers expected to use it.
