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84 per cent of airline passengers say no to mobile phone
usage onboard ... 71 per cent will fly the same or more in the
next year, and if they get bored on the flight, 60 per cent will
pass the time watching the inflight entertainment.
Poll results
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The latest series of global passenger polls conducted by Skytrax show some interesting
pointers behind what makes the airline customer tick.
With more than 50,000 passengers polled in just over a week on a wide range of air travel
subjects, it appears that as whole, we are maybe not quite as demanding as some might believe.
A staggering 84 per cent of passengers are against the idea of allowing mobile phone usage onboard
flights - probably more from the sheer nuisance factor rather than safety issues. According to the
system / service suppliers, we will not be disturbed and cabin staff will be able to control and
monitor mobile phone usage. The more cynical would probably judge it for what it may be - a way for
service supplier and airlines to try and make money, and clearly it is not in any way an idea that
has been designed to satisfy a latent desire among passengers.
At least recent increases in airport and air travel security do not appear to be dampening the desire
to fly by air - 71 per cent of those polled likely to travel the same or more in the next year. Only
28 per cent of customers say that they are concerned about damage to the environment caused by air travel,
which in a way concurs with their desire for additional air travel.
Getting bored on a long-haul flight ? Well it certainly seems to be worth choosing an airlines that offers
you good inflight entertainment - 60 per cent of travellers citing this as the principal pastime to while away
the hours onboard. Nearly 25 per cent manage to sleep - guess a large chunk of that maybe those up at the
front on those luxurious flat beds to be found in Business and First class. Reading a book, magazine or
newspaper is still quite a high ranker, with 11 per cent seeking solace in a good book. Just 5 per cent of
air travellers use the flight as a time to work - if you have sat in a darkened business class cabin on a long
haul flight, even 5 per cent seems more than one wouold normally see working!
Despite all the best efforts to maximise one's earning of frequent flyer miles, only 21 per cent of those
passengers polled say they manage to fully utilise their mileage awards in the required time. Not altogether
surprising when you find out how hard it can be to find suitable award flights that are not blacked out for
one reason or another. The airlines must take heart from the fact that 27 per cent of customers never use up
all of their mileage awards - especially with current jet fuel prices!
It does still seem that we all however have to watch the "purse-strings" when we come to choosing an airline
to fly with. Ticket price was the prime purchase driver for 61 per cent of passengers, whilst 23 per cent say
that an airline's reputation determines their choice of carrier.
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Selected
Passenger Poll results
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Are you in favour of allowing mobile phone usage onboard
flights ?
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Yes |
10% |
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No |
84% |
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Not sure |
6% |
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Will
the recent increase in global airport & airline security
result in you flying more, the same or less in the coming months
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More |
22% |
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Same |
59% |
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Less |
19% |
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Do standards of Inflight Entertainment influence your choice of airline on a medium or long haul flight ?
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Yes |
61% |
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No |
20% |
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Not sure |
19% |
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When travelling on business, how likely are you to purchase goods at
an airport duty free shop ?
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Very likely |
19% |
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Quite likely |
37% |
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Not likely |
44% |
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Do you fully utilise your Frequent Flyer miles / awards in the necessary redemption periods ?
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Always |
21% |
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Sometimes |
52% |
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Never |
27% |
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Outside the meal service on a long haul flight, which of these is your most likely way to pass the time ?
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Watch IFE |
60% |
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Sleep |
24% |
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Read |
11% |
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Work |
5% |
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Which of these matter most to you, when you select a flight ?
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Ticket price |
61% |
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Schedules |
16% |
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Reputation |
23% |
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Does the potential impact upon the environment from increasing air travel concern you ?
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Yes |
28% |
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No |
54% |
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Not sure |
18% |
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16th September 2006
Press and Media enquiries should be directed to:
Mr Peter Miller
Director Marketing - SKYTRAX
Email : miller@airlinequality.com
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