Honeywell survey shows UAE airline passengers want technology

As more technologies are being offered in-flight and at airports, a recent survey conducted by Honeywell in the United Arab Emirates shows passengers are relying on those technologies for a stress-free travel experience.

"Efficiencies inside the terminal and on board the aircraft are crucial to passengers' perception of air travel in the UAE," Norm Gilsdorf, Honeywell's president of Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, said. "With more people traveling through the region every year, this survey shows airports and airlines can increase customer satisfaction even further by investing in technology to minimize disruptions and stress, and create a smarter travel experience for passengers."

The survey covered technology at every stage of flight, from check-in to post-flight baggage claim. As passenger numbers in the Middle East rise, passengers are looking for ways to avoid congestion, decrease their stress, save time and maintain connection with personal and business contacts.

The survey found 94 percent of passengers in the UAE thought airports and airlines were moving in the right direction with regard to improving punctuality and avoiding delays. Forty-seven percent of passengers felt a focus of the industry should be improving the speed and efficiency of flights.

A majority of airline customers -- 75 percent -- consider wi-fi essential and said they would forgo pre-bookable seats or free in-flight meals for fast, reliable and free wi-fi. Twenty-three percent said they would not travel again with an airline on which they experienced a delay. The survey also showed most passengers are using new technologies such as e-boarding passes, e-tickets and luggage location tracking. Because they save time by doing so, they are more likely to use an airport's amenities.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials.