A new survey from Collinson’s Priority Pass revealed that nearly 3 in 4 frequent flyers (71%) are willing to resume travel either immediately or within the next 3-6 months. The global survey also shows factors like quarantines and border controls are travelers’ main concerns about returning to air travel.
Half of them are willing to pay for a COVID-19 test to help ease travel restrictions. It is the biggest brand-executed survey about global air traveler sentiment in the COVID-19 era. Over 22,000 frequent flyer members of the Priority Pass program were surveyed, making it the biggest brand-executed survey about global air traveler sentiment in the COVID-19 era. In the Asia Pacific region, 2 out of 5 travelers are ready to pay for a PCR test.
Travelers also expect a contactless journey and are also willing to pay for access to the airport lounge
66% of respondents are willing to pay for access to an airport lounge where guest numbers are controlled and social distancing is maintained. Only 21% of the respondents said that airport lounges are a concern, as they are potentially seen as an escape from the airport crowds. 74% have no concerns about the airport lounge. 16% of frequent flyers plan to increase their pre-order of shopping and food services. 82% of travelers expect more contactless payments. 58% want access to real-time heatwave maps of the airport to avoid crowded areas. 1 in 3 travelers would like “click & collect” services for shopping and food.
Andy Besant, Director of Travel Experiences at Collinson, stated, “The perception of the airport lounge is changing in the COVID-19 era. Frequent flyers now see the lounge as not only a place for refreshments and amenities but also a necessary part of the journey where they can feel safe and at-ease. Our survey results leave no doubt that frequent flyers want to make more use of lounge access. Contactless experiences are likewise key to boosting traveler confidence, hence our recent initiatives to spearhead the contactless airport journey via new airport lounge standards and safer, touch-free experiences in the airport lounge.”
Also Read: FICCI: Ensuring Travelers’ Confidence Can Help Revive Tourism Sector
