Future looks bright for the airline industry

Airline trips today are no picnic, and the longer the flights, the more arduous and tedious they have become. Rates are far lower than they used to be, back when top-notch and well-dressed flight crews tended to passengers’ needs and everyone felt special just to be on board a plane; however, in the quest for cheap fares many of the special perks have disappeared.

Changes are on the horizon, however, and experts in the aircraft industry say the future of flying is looking better and better every day.

For example, a brand new way for airlines to calculate their ticket prices could be coming in the very near future. At present, companies sell tickets based on the number of cubic inches found inside airplanes. Some companies have even come up with formulas to figure out the precise number of inches each person needs, and allow far less than the average person calls comfortable. In these formulas, passengers who pay for  cheaper flights, and who likely expect less room, are given less space and cheaper tickets. Customers who expect more room in first class pay higher rates.

Things changed quickly as the Internet took off, however, and customers became savvy about airlines’ facts, figures and formulations.

Customers began to figure out that expensive and cheaper seats were often available on the same flights at the exact same times, and the airlines began to lose money on higher fares as passengers began looking to discount airlines for less expensive rates. This will lead very soon to airlines having to offer premium services and flights at discount prices.

Next comes the issue of quality. Previously, certain airlines were associated with a higher level of service, and therefore higher prices to justify those services. Companies are expected to separate even more in coming years, with some airlines specializing in low-cost flights with few amenities that cater to larger groups and those who are price-conscious.

Other flights will be more on demand, and will cater to smaller, more specialized groups and individuals for higher prices. Other companies will float in the middle, with minimal comfort compared to higher-priced airlines, but far more perks than the low-cost flights.

Planes are also likely to be changing, as the future’s airliners are expected to shrink in size and hold fewer passengers. Smaller airplanes are easier and more cost-effective to operate. The main obstacle for airlines is creating smaller planes that are comfortable for passengers to fly in.

Changes are likely in seat spacing and lighting, and also in a new emphasis on how close a passenger really is to the clouds, rather than the ground.

Airport changes are also coming. People hate waiting in lines, checking in and going through security.

Some changes in the works include automatic air traffic control and the T-Pod, which is a multi-passenger vehicle that travels along a track, taking customers from place to place and streamlining the entire airport process.

Some challenges will still remain, as concerns about airport security will throw in some bumps along the road. In spite of the issues that will continue to plague airports, passengers and the companies themselves, the future is looking bright for the airline industry.