Airlines: Prepare To Serve Fewer, And More Upscale, Passengers

Examining all US online leisure travelers by household incomes produces three similarly sized household income groups: less than $50,000 per year, between $50,000 and $94,999 per year, and $95,000 or more annually. Although those who earn $95,000 or more a year make up just 31% of all leisure travelers, they account for 42% of all US leisure airline passengers. Shrinking travel budgets put 28% of the roundtrips that airline passengers take at risk — with those who earn the least most likely to cut back their airline flights, leaving behind a more upscale audience. Travel eBusiness professionals need to help budget-focused travelers with content and tools that help them anticipate the growing number of surcharges added to tickets. To serve higher-end leisure travelers, airlines need to consider developing defined products with more benefits and amenities that can be sold effectively online.