Airlines must develop more creative ways to stimulate passenger spend if onboard ancillary revenues are to reach their potential.
On many carriers, cabin crew are still walking up and down the aisle giving passengers only a short window of time to buy even on long-haul flights.
But broadband access and services enabled by onboard connectivity"”such as destination shopping, premium entertainment content, and targeted advertising"”are already growing quickly.
Airlines should take a fresh look at what they sell, why they are selling it, and what price they want to charge
Airlines must move forward in several ways, especially as the $15 billion broadband access revenue stream may dwindle as passengers increasingly expect free Wi-Fi wherever they are.
Most crucially, airlines should take a fresh look at what they sell, why they are selling it, and what price they want to charge, argued panellists at Wednesday"™s Onboard Ancillary Revenue Session.
Looking at what competitors offer or what has been traditionally offered is not a way forward, they agreed.
Payment must also be easier. Many sales are lost because passengers don"™t have their credit card to hand
Content must also be marketed properly. People are more likely to make purchases when traveling than when they are at home according to research. But passengers never know what is on offer until they board the aircraft.
Why not work with other retailers and sell something that can be picked up on arrival?
Payment must also be easier. Many sales are lost because passengers don"™t have their credit card to hand. But they often have their smartphone, or their credit card details may already be on file…
