Digital air travel

Forward thinking airlines such as Delta are looking at how they can harness new technology to enhance the traveller experience. It surely won’t be too long before:

• Your seat recognises you.
• Your media preferences are preconfigured. Rather than truncate films you will be able to enjoy the rest of the film on your smartphone device.
• Your pilot is an algorithm.
• Your social media connections are identified by seat.
• You are able to liaise with awaiting taxis and families whilst on board so they have a sense of when you will likely clear customs.

From the airline’s perspective:

• The airline has real-time access to passenger profiles. If they are running late a decision can be made to miss the allotted take off slot and wait until they are on board. Or not based on your value to the airline.
• A heat map of each passenger’s likelihood of being disruptive / a terrorist will be available for the benefit of cabin staff and flight marshals.
• Pricing will be based on passenger volume (Think Eureka / water displacement as opposed to head count)). Seats will move and configure accordingly.

If you are not thinking how digital will transform the customer experience you will have no choice but to enter the price discounting which will suck your business into market oblivion.