IATA announced (23-Oct-2015) results of a study of air travellers "showing that passengers would welcome the richer travel shopping experience that will be enabled by the New Distribution Capability (NDC)". The study was conducted by Atmosphere Research Group on behalf of IATA. Key findings include:
- More than 75% of air travellers said the NDC-based display would make it easier to compare flights and prices and understand the true cost of their flight, compared to how they shop and book travel online today;
- More than 70% of business fliers and 65% of leisure travellers would be more likely to purchase optional airline services if presented with information about the services in an NDC-based display;
- Sixty-three percent of business travellers and 69% of leisure travellers would find it helpful to receive timely promotional offers via text message;
- 68% of business passengers and 64% of leisure passengers would be comfortable with an airline or travel agent informing them about the availability of optional products based on previous purchase data.
The survey also revealed the following travel trends:
- 88% of business passengers and four of five leisure passengers own a smartphone. Seventy percent of business passengers own tablets, as do 60% of leisure passengers;
- Business passengers are younger than leisure travellers, suggesting a "passing of the torch" from older generations of business passengers. [more - original PR]