Aviation industry
We live in an age where saving time is more critical than saving money. Perhaps that is why air transport, which was previously reserved exclusively for the wealthiest or for emergencies, is now being used by its competitors, that is, rail and road transport. The number of passengers flying has multiplied by several in the past two decades, and the count continues to rise. A few decades ago, only the mature, developed and rich nations like the United States, the countries of Europe, Japan, Singapore, etc. they were those that had air connectivity with the main national cities and also with international destinations. But now, the number of countries connected to each other by air has increased dramatically, and that didn’t stop there. National air connectivity has also exploded, connecting many cities in many different countries. Not only the developed and rich nations, but also the developing countries like China, India, and Brazil, etc. they have gained a lot due to increasing air connectivity. Not only has connectivity improved, but it has also improved the air travel experience. Let’s take a look at the things that have changed significantly in recent decades.
Travel time
Air travel, which has been the fastest mode of transportation since its inception, has become even faster over time. The flight from the Australian subcontinent to London was and remains one of the longest known flights. In the late 1950s, the cities of Sydney and London were connected by Qantas Airways of Australia. The trip was a 4-day journey with a whopping 55 hours in the air and the flight touched the ground at six locations in addition to Sydney and London. The airline still operates between countries but in a different way. The 2018 New Kangaroo Route, as Qantas Airways calls it, connects Perth with London without stopping or landing anywhere else. The journey now only takes 17 hours in the air, covering more than 9,000 miles in the air in a single takeoff.
It’s not even the longest time in the air or the longest distance traveled in a single takeoff. As airplanes became increasingly efficient and technologically advanced, flights with even longer flight times and trips became possible. Another Qatar Airlines company between Auckland and Doha is now the longest flight, covering a staggering 9,025 miles in a single run (or flight) lasting 16-18 hours in the air. Imagine the passengers clinging to their seats for so long!
Food on board
There is a reason why the early flight period was dubbed the ‘Golden Age’ of flying. The price that the passengers paid for the trip was offset by the food and drinks served during the trip. But the airlines had their own problems to deal with. The steering wheels of the early 1920s had to deal with weight issues when there were instances where passengers were weighed before boarding. The same rule applied to food, which restricted the amount of food that was transported to heaven. As planes got better and trips lengthened, food got better and hotter. Food was more than an essential element for survival. The flights of the early 1930s had kitchens, which could provide a hot meal, and a dining room where passengers gathered and feasted in the air. Then in the 1940s came the era of frozen foods, thanks to which a variety of foods were served in heaven. As the aircraft got bigger, the number of passengers flying increased and so did the food storage spaces in the air. But now, customization has become important, compared to offering unified exotic dining for the entire passenger group. Currently, airlines allow passengers to order food of their choice before boarding, which would be delivered directly to their seats. For example, iFLEAT, is a mobile service that delivers food ordered by the passenger from a restaurant, directly to their seats. The service is now associated with Air Berlin and it plans to partner with more airlines in the future. Although inflight catering providers will feel the impact of this service, it is a win-win situation, as one gets the food of their choice to eat, as well as for the airlines as they can probably retain their customers by allowing them to do whatever they want.
Entertainment and connectivity on board
A recent survey of airline passengers has indicated that Wi-Fi was more important than food for passengers traveling by air. This shows how connected people are to the internet. And even airlines are trying to retain existing customers and attract more customers by providing them with entertainment and connectivity. Many airlines already offer Wi-Fi on at least some of their flights, but travelers have to purchase the service. Airlines provide free internet access for first class travelers only. Big names in the aviation industry like Etihad, Finnair, Lufthansa, etc. provide Internet access in all or part of its fleet, but at a cost to the passenger. On the other hand, there are few others like Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, etc. that provide free Wi-Fi access to their passengers. There are many travelers out there praying for this to happen on all airlines, and I hope it happens soon too. With the number of travelers expected to double by 2035, according to a market research firm, airlines will make many more changes to attract new passengers and retain existing ones.