New Delhi , March 18, 2016: Expedia one of the world’s largest full service online travel sites, today released the results of the Expedia Passenger Preferences Index, which includes amenities for which customers would prioritize on flights of different length, how they prefer to pass the time, their opinions on baggage fees and packing, and which passenger behaviours they found most frustrating.The survey highlights that three-quarters (74%) of travellers will pay for added comfort on a short haul flight, but this jumps to 89% on long or extra-long haul flights. Travelers from Mexico (98%), India (97%), Thailand and China (96%) are the most likely to pay for added comfort on long haul flights. India (20%) leads in playing games on a phone or mobile devicewhile flying.
“According to Expedia Passenger Preferences Index, a massive 74% of travellers will pay for added comfort on a short haul flight, and the number further jumps to 89% on long or extra-long haul flights. Indians lead globally in paying extra for a window seat (34%) or an aisle seat (10%), for a snack (36%) and a non-alcoholic beverage (16%) on board a short-haul flight. For 84% Indians, comfort is more important than style while travelling by air” said Mr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia India.
SURVEY FINDINGS:
Indians globally most active @ 30,000 ft
· Only 32% Indians sleep while on a flight- lowest globally, followed byChina and Mexico (35%)
· 51% listen to music, 39% read a book /magazine / newspaper,32% surf Internet when Wi-Fi is available, 32% watch TV shows / movies available on board, 20% play games on phone/mobile, 15% watch TV shows / movies that they carry, 7% spend time doing puzzles / games, 6% workon board
Flight Essentials!
· India in top 3 countries to choose water (59%), music player (32%), computer (29%), healthy snacks (21%), e-reader (17%), earplugs (13%)
· Indians in bottom 3 to feel the need for extra jacket or sweater (7%), mints and/or gum (6%), non-alcoholic beverages (8%) and over-the-counter medication(2%)
· Alcoholic beverages is preferred by only 9% Indians
o Ready to pay extra on short (18%), medium (18%), long (22%), extra-long (28%) haul flight
· Indians are foodies; 44% Indians feel a meal to be important while 21% prefer healthy snacks and 8% indulge in snacks
o Willing to pay extra for a full meal on short (40%), medium (48%), long (57%), extra-long (62%) haul flight
o Willing to pay extra for a snack on short (36%), medium (32%), long (36%), extra-long (38%) haul flight
o Willing to pay extra for a non-alcoholic beverage on short (16%), medium (19%), long (21%), extra-long (23%) haul flight
· We can’t live without our gadgets; mobile device (54%), headphones (36%), game player (7%)
o Willing to pay extra for high speed wi-fion short (45%), medium (51%), long (53%), extra-long (54%) haul flight
o Willing to pay extra for basic speed wi-fion short (14%), medium (11%), long (13%), extra-long (13%) haul flight
· We love to read– magazines / newspapers (32%), e-reader (17%), physical books (11%)
· Other essentials include- prescription medication (4%), pen & paper (8%), eye cover (6%), neck pillow (11%), blankets (13%)
Baggage Woes
· 74% Indians will avoid baggage fees at all costs
· India at #3 globally to
o Pack less to ensure things fit in a carry-on (74%), led by Taiwan & China (78%)
o Avoid checking bags so that they don’t have to wait in line at the baggage check before boarding flight (62%), led by China (70%) & Malaysia (63%)
o Check bags regardless of situation (68%), led by Germany (77%) & Mexico (74%)
§ 56% often over-packand if that means checking a bag, they are ok with it
§ 53% Indians don’t mind paying extra to check a bag
· Indians avoid checking bags because of the fee (53%), to skip waiting at baggage carousel (59%), out of fear that their bags will get lost (46%)
· A trip < Week: 50% prefer to check-in luggage while only 18% Indians prefer a backpack
o Carry-on size suitcase to be checked (30%),carry-on size suitcase on the plane (32%), 2 suitcases/pieces of luggage, with at least one needing to be checked (7%)
· A trip > Week: 74% prefer to check-in luggage while only 8% backpack
o Carry-on size suitcase on the plane (10%), carry-on size suitcase checked in for convenience (21%), large suitcase that would be required to be checked (35%), 2 suitcases/pieces of luggage, with at least one needing to be checked (22%), carry 3 suitcases/pieces of luggage (4%, highest globally)
We shell out for more comfort
· 84% Indians prefer comfort over style when choosing what to wear
· Indians are ok to pay extra for upgrades to first or business class on short (26%), medium (25%), long (31%), extra-long (32%) haul flight
· Willing to pay extra for specific seats:
o Window Seat: short (34%), medium (31%), long (34%), extra-long (39%) haul flight
o Aisle Seat: short (10%), medium (14%), long (15%), extra-long (16%) haul flight
o Seat with extra legroom: short (32%), medium (39%), long (50%), extra-long (53%) haul flight
o Wider Seat: short (23%), medium (33%), long (41%), extra-long (49%) haul flight
· Indians like to save time in transit, willing to pay extra for
o Priority baggage unloading: short (18%), medium (23%), long (28%), extra-long (29%) haul flight
o Priority /advanced boarding: short (15%), medium (15%), long (22%), extra-long (21%) haul flight
Most unbearable passenger types (flight >10hrs)
· Indians have the highest tolerance globally for the Inattentive Parents (24%), Aromatic Passenger (21%) and Rear Seat Kicker (18%)
· Indians globally most intolerant towardsThe Armrest Hog (16%), Mad Bladder (18%), The Undresser (14%), Back Seat Grabber (12%) and The Amorous couple (11%)
· India leads globally with 22% saying they have gotten into an argument with a fellow passenger followed Mexico (19%) & the USA (14%)
Methodology
This study was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar, a globally integrated strategic insights consulting firm. This survey was conducted online from December 11-29, 2015 across North America, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific using the Kantar-owned GMI (Global Market Insite) and Lightspeed Research amalgamated group of panels. The study was conducted among 11,026 adults 18+ adults, who have flown on an airplane in the past two years, across 22 countries.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
