Each day millions of people book flights in person and online; to destinations both domestic and international. Flights leave every half hour from nearly every destination in the world. Air travel is the fastest mode of transportation on the planet. Technology allows customers to quickly research fares, compare prices, use travel-bidding websites, and book flights instantly. Air travel has many advantages in terms of time and quality that make it a very practical means of transportation across the nation and abroad.
In an era where top professionals agree that time is their most valuable resource, air travel is essential to maximizing productivity and ensuring the success of businesses that are becoming less localized each day. A trip that takes days by car or ground transport takes only hours by plane. Since you’re not behind the wheel, you also have the ability to multitask while in the air, using travel time to prepare for meetings and fine tune presentations. Or if you are simply a tourist between sights, you can save time by catching up on those travel books and maps before your next destination.
Technology allows airlines to interact with customers in a more engaging and personalized way. Personalized travel itineraries are sent to your email and cell phone for ready access at airports and destinations. Travel tickets are easy to book online, especially if you are in a rush. Many metropolitan airports are serviced by numerous airlines, making it easier during peak times to book a flight for the dates you want. In addition, most international airports are equipped to serve the wide-ranging needs of travelers. For instance, you should be able to locate hotels or car rental services easily at most major airports for added convenience.
Air travel is also one of the safest modes of transportation that exists today. In 2000, the National Travel Safety Board reported that the number of fatalities caused by road, boating, or rail accidents was more common than that of airlines. It is even more dangerous to ride on a bicycle than on an airliner!
Customization of services is an increased focus for airlines. According to Robert Buckman, director of airline distribution strategy for Amadeus, over the past few years, U.S. airlines who once focused primarily on regaining financial stability, are now putting bankruptcies behind them and are re-focusing on their passengers and the overall travel experience. You can already obtain a guaranteed aisle or window seat. But Buckman says that you can expect more choices and options in how, when and where you fly. New innovations in seating, comfort and amenities, especially in the business and first-class cabins are cropping up. Buckman says that besides access to the Internet, many airlines are also offering more in-flight services and entertainment, as well as experimenting with “a la carte” offerings that give passengers a choice of fare groups and then let them add or deduct additional services such as premium seat selection, bonus mileage, and access to airline lounges. Your travel considerations may be less about whether you should travel by air or not, but whether you should choose Airline 1 or Airline 2.
In the future, another advantage of airline travel may be environmental. Many airlines are starting to go green and are seeking alternatives to petroleum based fuels. The Finnish carrier, Finnair, celebrated its 85th anniversary by inviting academics, professionals and journalists to predict what future airline travel might look like in 2093. Their vision is outlined on the website “Departure 2093: Five Visions on Future Flying.” Paul Steele of the International Air Transport Association predicts that algae-derived biofuels will be common by 2093. Steele also believes that we will see the first H-powered flights by the mid to late 2050s. For families on the move, aviation designer Kauko Helavou designed a three passenger rotor craft, in pure Jetsons style, that boasts solar panels and a wing speed of 150 miles per hour. It may seem fantastical, but with the phenomenon of air travel, a considerable amount of logic, thought, and imagination is already forging many of these ideas into reality.
