Airlines & Covid-19: The Future Flight

Published 13 May 2020

Author
Emilia Morano-Williams

With the aviation industry largely grounded due to the pandemic, carriers must turn to the ultra-malleable tools we cover in Elastic Airlines to reinvent operations and supercharge future loyalty. From reimagining membership schemes, to showcasing sanitisation procedures or repurposing skilled staff, today’s airlines must radically transform to meet the needs of tomorrow’s cautious passenger.

Experts predict that airlines won’t reach pre-pandemic capacity until 2022 at the earliest (McKinsey, 2020). To survive, carriers must be agile as they manage travellers’ rapidly evolving desires and anxieties. Meticulous cleaning procedures, socially distanced in-flight experiences and rapid health screening will become key passenger assurances as travel resumes.
Clever airlines are maintaining connections with grounded frequent fliers through loyalty schemes boasting lifestyle-leaning membership perks – similar to those we detail in How to Incentivise Loyalty. Meanwhile, newly flexible ticketing policies target the reasons why passengers choose to fly, providing specific benefits for family visits or weekend getaways.
Echoing the philanthropic endeavours noted in Hotels + Covid-19, airlines are implementing charitable schemes to aid overwrought health systems and support on-the-ground workers. It’s a smart move that taps into the rise in easy-going philanthropy we describe in Next-Gen Charity, and appeals to the next generation of socially aware frequent fliers (Gen Z).

Airlines & Covid-19: The Future Flight

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Topics

Automotive & Transport
Science & Technology
Membership & Loyalty
Advertising & Branding
Airports & Airlines
Travel & Tourism
Hospitality & Service
Coronavirus
Leisure
Ecommerce
Brand Experience
Health & Wellness
Architecture & Spaces

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Airlines & Covid-19: The Future Flight

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