Options for airlines continue to take off

Options for airlines continue to take off

It’s easy to focus on the negatives of the modern airline industry, since things like delayed flights, lost bags, slimmer seats and diminishing customer satisfaction seem to attract the most attention.

 But some airlines and some of their partners are actually making useful behind-the-scenes fixes that may not be as noticeable, but can help them stay competitive and profitable in the long-term. If this works out eventually to create better flying experiences, even better.

Here’s a look at some of the internal and external commercial aviation innovations that are in the works.

• Overall investment. Last fall, American Airlines announced $2 billion in overall improvements, including 100 new planes.  It will also make upgrades to its existing fleet, including improving Wi-Fi  networks, more food and drink choices, plus more seats that can lay flat on more flights. Delta Airlines is also continuing improvements to its fleet, including more first-class seats on domestic and international flights, plus small but useful things like larger headrests and improved bathrooms. This $770 million investment began in 2010 and is expected to be completed next year.  
• Airport improvements. Along with changes to what’s in the air, airlines are also looking for ways to make the waiting more bearable, such as passenger lounges and ticket counters. American Airline’s fleet-wide makeover includes new designs for its Admiral Club lounges and its presence at many airports. United Airlines is hoping to spruce up its customer areas, starting at LAX. This includes ticket areas and lounges.  
• New paint. While “throwing a coat of paint over it” has become synonymous with doing a shoddy, incomplete job for the sake of appearances, some airlines are putting new effort into improving the look of their planes with complete paint jobs. Some, like Southwest did in 2014, have repainted their entire fleet. Others may paint an individual plane for a special occasion, such as Southwest painting the Missouri flag on one of its 737s to commemorate 30 years of flying into St. Louis Lambert. Airlines either looking to paint new planes or re-paint their existing fleet can look into a customized spray paint booth. Plane manufacturers also may be interested in this type of painting technology.
• More in-flight technology. More and more airlines are moving toward entertainment literally at people’s fingertips. Over the last decade, we’ve seen more airlines offering more in-flight entertainment options, including monitors in front of each passenger where they can watch movies or shows, browse catalogs or learn about their destination.  Now, Virgin Airlines is taking this tech to the next level with high-resolution monitors and touch screens that allow you to pinch and swipe the seat-back monitor, much like you would a smartphone or tablet. Passengers can now plug in their headphones, watch movies and play games. It’s a long way from one movie playing on a screen in front of the cabin.
• More sensors. What tech people call “The Internet of Things” is coming to an airport/airline near you. Essentially, this theory describes how we’re moving beyond desktop or laptop computers to all sorts of sensors that collect and relay information. An easy example is “smart” fitness items like shoes and bracelets that feed information about your heart rate and steps taken to a central fitness phone app. In the airline industry, the Internet of Things could include a phone alert if you’ve reached the correct terminal or your baggage has come off the correct carousel. Eweek said there’s plenty of potential for technology to aid you in the airport and beyond, and it’s just going to increase.

Overall, it’s an interesting time for the commercial airline industry. Profits seem to be up, and it’s encouraging that many airlines are re-investing in maintenance. But some critics, such as Forbes’ Andrew Bender, say that some of these fixes have been paid for by higher ticket prices or new fees for some items that used to be free such as Wi-Fi service and in-flight snacks.

But some investments, such as a spray paint booth, can be smart long-term strategies, especially if the economy begins to tighten again.