aarp travel - air travel by generations report · q5: when did you take this most recent flight?...
TRANSCRIPT
AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Travel Research:Air Travel by Generations
Vicki GelfeldResearch AdvisorJuly 2016
https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00128.001
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Table of Contents
2016 Air Travel
Executive Summary 3
Detailed Findings
Air Travel Stats 7
Air Travel Stressors 14
Suggestions for Improvement 31
Generational Differences 35
Appendix 42
AARP Research Team 44
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Executive Summary
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Executive SummaryAIR TRAVEL OVERVIEW
• Among the 58% of Baby Boomers who traveled for leisure by air in 2015, on averagethey took 2-3 trips by air across all seasons of the year.
• For Baby Boomers, air travel is relatively stress-free with just 14% rating their mostrecent air travel experience as stressful.
– Neither mobility nor the need to compensate for a hearing or vision loss appearsto be an issue for the majority of today’s Baby Boomer air travelers.
• Overall, the causes of the most stress are flight delays, a lack of legroom on the flight,and getting through security at the departure airport.
• Of those who do report high levels of stress associated with their most recent flight,most cite their experience at their departure airport (31%) as the most stressful aspectof their travel experience.
– Top airport stressors include getting through security (31%), checking in (26%), adelayed flight (26%), and waiting to board (25%).
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Executive SummaryCAUSES OF AIR TRAVEL STRESS
• It appears that part of what causes stress related to air travel has more to do with theindividual person’s demeanor than any specific set of behaviors.
– Those who report being nervous about flying also report significantly higherlevels of stress related to almost every aspect of the air travel experience.However, they report similar, if not the exact same behaviors, as those who arenot nervous about flying (e.g. arrival time, check-in options, activities prior toboarding, items brought for personal entertainment, etc.).
• That said, there are a few relationships in the data worth mentioning:
– Of the 43% of Baby Boomers who indicated their most recent flight required aconnection, they account for 51% of those who report their trip as stressful. Theyalso make up 55% of those who are worried about flight delays.
– Those traveling with children (although a small portion of the Baby Boomerpopulation; 10%) also report higher levels of stress related to getting throughsecurity, finding their gate, and their gate being moved than do those travelingalone or with seniors (65+).
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Executive SummaryGENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES
• Baby Boomers are far more relaxed about air travel than are Millennials and GenXerswith just 14% reporting their most recent trip as stressful, compared to 29% and 23%,respectively. This trend is mirrored in the percent who are nervous about flying; 23%vs. 38% and 31%, respectively.
• That said, for Millennials, part of their stress may also be caused by their behaviors.
– Over 50% arrive at the airport with one and half hours, or less, before their flightdeparts.
– And therefore, Millennials are more likely to report going straight to their gate,rather than taking advantage of the airport amenities prior to flight.
– Millennials’ nature to be ‘always on’ is no different when it comes to air travel,they report the highest usage of travel related apps (62% vs. 48% for GenX and34% for Boomers), and are more likely than older generations to bring their ownentertainment or work for in-flight distractions.
• Which also puts them in the position to be the most likely to be looking for apower supply prior to their flight (41% vs. 35% GenX and 14% Boomer).
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Detailed Findings:Air Travel Stats – Understanding Our Audience
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
S10: Thinking about your leisure trips in the past year, for how many did you take an airplane to get to your final destination?
Q5: When did you take this most recent flight?
Air Travel Overview• More than half (58%) of Baby Boomers have traveled by air in the past year.• Among air travelers, they report taking 2 to 3 flights this past year for leisure purposes.• Their travel is fairly evenly spread across the seasons with the exception of a slight dip
specifically during the winter months (January and February).
Number of Trips – Past YearAmong Air Travelers
2.6
17% 17%
21%
14%
10%
21%
0%
10%
20%
30%
Spring2015
Summer2015
Fall 2015 Holiday2015
Winter2016
Spring2016
Time of YearIncidence of Air Travel
58%Base: Total Baby Boomers Screened (n=952)
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q3: Including yourself, how many people were flying together on your most recent leisure trip?
Q4: Specifically, who accompanied you on this trip?
Who Traveled WithBaby Boomers tend to travel with other adults (18+) instead of young children. Over halfindicated traveling with a spouse/significant other on their most recent trip, while one-fourth traveled alone.
Average Numberof Travel Companions
2%
4%
6%
14%
23%
25%
60%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Other
My Grandparent(s)
My Parent(s)
Friend(s)
Other family
My Child(ren)
Alone
Spouse/Sig Other
<1%
Relation of Travel Companions
2.7Total Travelers:
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q2: Where were you flying to on the most leisure trip you took?
Q6: Did you have any connecting flights on this most recent trip?
Most Recent Flight DestinationDomestic travel is most common among Boomers. Across all destinations, connectingflights are rather common with 43% of Boomers reporting taking one on their mostrecent trip.
78% 22%
43% Total
38% 62%
Destination
Domestic International
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q7a: Did you require any of the following types of assistance to move about the airport, either at your departure or destination city/or while making a connecting flight?
Q7b: Which of the following types of mobility assistance, to move about the airport either at your departure or destination city/or to make a connecting flight, was
needed by you or someone you were traveling with?
Need for AssistanceThe vast majority of Boomers who have traveled by air for leisure in the past year do not needassistance to move around the airport – for eitherthemselves or their travel companions. Nor do they suffer from hearing or vision loss.
Airport Mobility Assistance Used
4%
7%
2%
11%
89%
1%
7%
7%
93%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Motorized passenger cart
Wheelchair
Stroller/baby carrier
Assistance needed (NET)
No assistance needed
Flew Alone (n=128) Flew with Others (n=379)
N/A
Q8: Do you have any hearing or vision loss?
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Needed aCharge:
19%
56% 1%
43%
Yes, free Yes, paid Did not use
Q22: Which of the following devices did you travel with on this last trip?
Q23: Did you use Wi-Fi in the airport while waiting for your flight?
Q24: Did you need to power up any of your electronic devices while waiting for your flight?
Electronic Devices & Power Supply• Over 90% of Boomers travel with some type of electronic device, primarily a smartphone.
• Only 1% of Boomers pay for airport Wi-Fi, but 56% will use it when its free.
• Finding power to charge a device is typically not an issue in the airport.
Devices Traveled With Use of Airport Wi-Fi
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Base: Boomers Traveled with Device (n=461)
Base: BoomersTraveled with Device
(n=461)
Charging Device
Base: BoomersNeeding Charge
(n=88)
FoundPower:
94%
9%
6%
2%
8%
30%
43%
75%
91%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
None
Other
Handheld game
iPod
Laptop
Tablet
Smartphone
Traveled with device (NET)
Q25: Were you able to find a power source at the airport?
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Base: Boomers Who Used a Travel App (n=172)
Q33: Which of the following travel apps, if any, did you use during air travel?
Travel AppsWhile most Boomers (66%) do not engage with travel apps, those who do tend to rely onthose that are airline specific.
Popular Apps(Among App Users)
56%
34%
13%9%
6% 5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Airline specific Google FlightAware FlightStats Trip it: TripPlanner
Gate Guru
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Note: Only 5%+ reported
Yes34%
No66%
App Usage
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Detailed Findings:Air Travel Stressors
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q26a: Please rate your feelings about flying.
How Stressful Is Flying?For the most part, Baby Boomers report a rather stress-freeair travel experience, however, 23% report feeling nervousabout flying in general.
Fear Of Flying
61%
16%
23%Nervous (T2B)
Relaxed (B2B)
Neutral
Overall Stress Level
61%
25%
14%Stressful (T2B)
Not Stressful(B2B)
Neutral
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q9: Overall, how would you rate your most recent airtravel experience?
39% of thosewho had astressful
experiencehave a fear
of flying
Meaning, other factors arealso contributing to their
stress…
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q32: Thinking about your travel experience in general, what aspect of the trip tends to be most stressful?
Sources of StressIn total, it would appear getting to the airport is the cause of a significant amount of stress,however, among those who categorize their most recent trip as stressful, the general travelstress source tends to be at the departure airport, more so than other aspects of the trip.
Source of Most Stress
25% 16% 14% 11% 34%
Getting to Airport At Departure Airport The Flight At Arrival Airport None, No Stress
27%
12%
13%
31%
14%
15%
10%
15%
36%
27%
Getting to Airport At Departure Airport The Flight At Arrival Airport None, No Stress
Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers
Source of Most Stress By Level of Overall Trip Stress ReportedStressful Trip
(T2B)
Trip NotStressful
(B3B)
Of those who found their most recenttrip stressful, these 27% generally do
not find air travel to be stressful
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q10: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you either before you left home or on your way to the airport. 5pt Scale
Source of Stress: Getting to the AirportDelays, both flight and airport arrival, cause Baby Boomers the most stress beforearriving at the airport.
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers)
11%
3%
3%
5%
7%
10%
11%
11%
12%
16%
20%
23%
0% 10% 20% 30%
Other
What to wear on flight
Mobility assistance logistics
Joint replacements during body scan
Losing power on electronic device(s)
Privacy during security screen
Packing checked bag(s)
What might be rejected at security
Packing carry-on
National security
Getting to airport on time
Flight delays
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q10: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you either before you left home or on your way to the airport. 5pt Scale
Source of Stress: Getting to the AirportAmong those who rated their most recent trip as stressful, it appears the stress startedright away with a worry about possible flight delays.
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(By Level of Overall Trip Stress)
8%
2%
3%
3%
7%
8%
9%
9%
10%
14%
19%
20%
22%
9%
4%
16%
11%
27%
23%
25%
29%
25%
27%
42%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Other
What to wear on flight
Mobility assistance logistics
Joint replacements during body scan
Losing power on electronic device(s)
Privacy during security screen
Packing checked bag(s)
What might be rejected at security
Packing carry-on
National security
Getting to airport on time
Flight delays
T2B Stressful(n=73)
B3B Not stressful(n=434)
*
* Significantly different at a 95% confidence level
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q11: How did you keep up with the status of your flightprior to arriving at the airport?
Behaviors Prior to Airport Arrival• The majority of Baby Boomers keep an eye on flight status via electronic options (website, email, text).• Boomers travel to the airport using a personal vehicle or hitching a ride with friends/family.• Boomers arrive at the airport with plenty of time before their flight; well over half (66%) say they allow at least 2 hours.
Monitoring Flight Status
23%
1%
4%
7%
16%
25%
33%
43%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Did not monitor
Other
Phone callfrom airline
Called 800#
Apps
Textnotifications
Emailnotifications
Website
Getting to the Airport
1%
2%
3%
5%
7%
36%
46%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Other
Subway/ metro
Uber/car service
Shuttle
Cab
Friend/ family
Drove own car
11%
23%
36%
30%
0% 20% 40%
1 hr or less
1.5 hrs
2 hrs
Over 2 hrs
Arrival Before Flight
Q13: How early did you arrive at the airport?Q12a: How did you get from your home to the airport?
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7%
2%
4%
6%
6%
6%
7%
7%
8%
9%
10%
11%
11%
11%
11%18%
0% 10% 20%
Other
Entertaining children
Interacting w/ gate agent
Find departure gate info
Parking car
Finding bathroom
Gate relocation
Finding seat at gate
Healthy food options
Finding gate
Delayed flight
Waiting to board
Ability to hear gate announcements
Check in/ boarding pass
Getting to gate in time to board
Getting through security
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q15: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you once you arrived at the airport, prior to boarding your flight. 5pt Scale
Sources of Stress: At the AirportUpon arriving at the airport, getting through airport security is mentioned more often thanany other aspect of the airport experience for causing stress.
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers)
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4%
2%
3%
4%
6%
6%
6%
7%
7%
7%
8%
8%
9%
9%
10%
16%
17%
1%
10%
16%
8%
11%
15%
9%
15%
20%
26%
25%
22%
26%
19%
31%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Other
Entertaining children
Interacting w/ gate agent
Find departure gate info
Parking car
Finding bathroom
Gate relocation
Finding seat at gate
Healthy food options
Finding gate
Delayed flight
Waiting to board
Ability to hear gate announcements
Check in/ boarding pass
Getting to gate in time to board
Getting through security
T2B Stressful(n=73)
B3B Not stressful(n=434)
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q15: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you once you arrived at the airport, prior to boarding your flight. 5pt Scale
Sources of Stress: At the AirportAmong those reporting the highest level of stress during their most recent air travel trip, getting throughsecurity tops the list, followed by checking in, a delayed flight and waiting to board.
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(By Level of Overall Trip Stress)
*
*
**
**
*
*
*
*
* Significantly different at a 95% confidence level21
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51%
30%
21%
30%
14%
5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
On-site(NET)
Deskattendant
Kiosk Web Email App
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q16: How did you check in and obtain your boarding pass?
Pre-Board Preparation• Since most Baby Boomers check luggage and do so at the counter, it is no surprise that
about half are also obtaining their boarding pass on-site at the airport.• Just over one-third (38%) are TSA Pre-Check approved to expedite security screening.
Obtaining Boarding Pass Checking Luggage
79%Checked
25% 72% 3%
Curbside Counter Gate
Base: Boomers with Checked Luggage (n=400)
Security Privileges
38%
Q18: Were you TSA Pre-Check on thislast flight, allowing you to side-step thestandard security screening process?
Q17a: Did you check any luggage at the airport?
Q17b: Where at the airport did you check your bags?
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q21: How did you keep up with the status of your flight one you were at the airport?
Pre-Board Behaviors• Airport screens are heavily used to monitor flight status.• Whether they go directly to the gate or not, Baby Boomers eventually arrive at their
gate and wait to board; as opposed to getting there just in time.
Monitoring Flight Status
16%
1%
1%
4%
5%
7%
9%
21%
66%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Did not monitor
Other
Called 800#
Phone call from airline
Email notifications
Website
Apps
Text notifications
Gate attendants
Airport screens
2%
4%
40%
46%
6%
48%
54%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Other
Got to gate just in time to board
But still waited to board
Did not go straight to gate (NET);Shopped/Ate First
Just in time to board
And waited to board
Went straight to gate (NET)
Getting to the Gate
<1%
Q19: After you passed through security, which of the following did you do?
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64%
49%
28%32%
28%
6%11% 11%
1%
7%12%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Boughtitems(NET)
To-go food/drinks
Sundries Ate/Drank(NET)
At arestaurant
At a bar Shopped(NET)
At retailstore
Forelectronics
Visited alounge
Got amassage
Other
<1%
Base: Boomers who did not go straight to their gate after security (n=232)
Q20: What did you do within the airport prior to boarding your flight?
Airport Amenities UsedWhen passing time in the airport, Baby Boomers are most likely to purchase portable itemssuch as food, drinks, and sundries. Approximately one-third choose to sit down at arestaurant or bar.
Passing the Time in the Airport
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q27: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused you during your flight. 5pt Scale
Sources of Stress: The FlightDuring the flight, the lack of legroom tops the list of stressors for Baby Boomers.
5%
4%
4%
6%
9%
9%
9%
10%
14%
14%
16%
16%
23%
0% 10% 20% 30%
Other
Rude flight attendants
Losing power on electronic device(s)
Temperature on plane
Flight delayed after boarding
Person next to me
Seat location
Loud/ rude passengers
Finding space for carry-on
Crying children
Reclined chair in front of me
Turbulence
Lack of legroom
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers)
25
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q27: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused you during your flight.
Sources of Stress: The FlightA lack of legroom appears to be the primary in-flight stress cause for Baby Boomersreporting a stressful air travel experience.
6%
2%
3%
5%
7%
9%
8%
9%
12%
13%
14%
15%
20%
3%
11%
8%
10%
22%
11%
19%
19%
25%
26%
24%
24%
38%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Other
Rude flight attendants
Losing power on electronic device(s)
Temperature on plane
Flight delayed after boarding
Person next to me
Seat location
Loud/ rude passengers
Finding space for carry-on
Crying children
Reclined chair in front of me
Turbulence
Lack of legroom
T2B Stressful(n=73)
B3B Not stressful(n=434)
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(By Level of Overall Trip Stress)
*
* Significantly different at a 95% confidence level
*
**
*
*
*
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q28: What activities did you partake in while on your flight to your destination?
In-Flight ActivitiesMost Baby Boomers occupy themselves on the plane without the aid of electronics.
Passing the Time on the Flight
Read 69% Talk 57%46% To companion
17% To stranger
Eat/Drink 54%
Watch 31%23% In-flight10% Personal
Listen 16%
Sleep 44%
Connect 13% Work 3%
Other = 4%Don’t remember = 1%
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q29: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused upon arrival at your destination. 5pt Scale
Sources of Stress: The Arrival CityWhile the level of stress at the arrival city is relatively low, 14% of Baby Boomers reportstress while waiting for their bags.
5%
5%
7%
8%
10%
10%
14%
0% 10% 20%
Other
Language barriers
Finding baggage claim
Deplaning
Finding transportation
Lost bags
Waiting for bags
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers)
28
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Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q29: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused upon arrival at your destination.
Sources of Stress: The Arrival CityAmong those who reported a stressful air travel experience, it didn’t appear to ease upupon arriving at their destination, with many aspects of the arrival causing them stress.
3%
4%
5%
6%
8%
8%
12%
14%
9%
20%
20%
22%
19%
26%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Other
Language barriers
Finding baggage claim
Deplaning
Finding transportation
Lost bags
Waiting for bags
T2B Stressful(n=73)
B3B Not stressful(n=434)
Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(By Level of Overall Trip Stress)
*
* Significantly different at a 95% confidence level
*
*
*
*
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Base: Boomers who checked bags (n=400)
Q30: Did you have any help in getting your bags?
Luggage & Transportation at Destination• The majority of Baby Boomers handle their own luggage.• One-third of Baby Boomers rely on friends or family to pick them up at their
destination airport.
Assistance with Luggage
64%3%
6%
29%
No assistanceOther assistancePorterCompanion
36%Had Assistance(NET)
5%
2%
2%
8%
11%
12%
13%
17%
31%
0% 20% 40%
Other
Uber/ Car service
Subway/ metro
Hotel shuttle
Car rental shuttle
Cab
Shuttle
On site car rental
Friend/ family
Transportation Leaving Airport
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q31: Leaving the airport, what was your primary means of transportation?
No Assistance
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Detailed Findings:Suggestions for Improvement
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At the Airport
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q35: Thinking back on your time in airports, prior to boarding your flight, what, if anything, could airports do differently or better to make it a more enjoyableexperience for you and your travel companions?
Airport Improvement Suggestions
2%
5%
10%
1%
2%
8%
11%
2%
3%
3%
5%
14%
4%
7%
14%
0% 10% 20%
Free Wi-Fi
Less expensive (food, drink)
Price (NET)
More prescreening
More/better security
Faster lines
Security (NET)
Improved disability assistance
Friendlier
More agents
Better/more TSA agents
Customer Service (NET)
Comfortable seating
More seating
Seating (NET)
Note: Only NETS of 10%+ reported
“A few more seats. There is neverenough for all people flying on one
flight especially to hear theannouncements if there are delays.”
“Having more securityagents available at busiest
times.”
“Offer food at a moreaffordable cost.”
Suggestions for improvements at the airports include more gate seating, faster securitylines, and less expensive food items.
“If the prices for basic goods were a littlecheaper at the airport. A bottle of water isalmost the same as the price of a bottle of
wine. Do something about it!”
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On the Flight
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q36: Thinking back on your flight experience, this includes boarding, deplaning, and your time in-flight, what, if anything, could the airlines do differently or betterto make it a more enjoyable experience for you and your travel companions?
Flight Improvement Suggestions
2%
8%
10%
3%
5%
7%
13%
29%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Better food
Free food/drink
Food (NET)
Better overhead storage
More room (general)
Bigger/comfortable seats
More leg room
Comfort (NET)
Note: Only NETS of 10%+ reported
“More room between seats: front, back andsides. Too close to strangers. Provide fresher
air. Provide good snacks!”
“Less seats, moreroom.”
“More leg room, morespace for carry-ons (or at
least monitor those whosecarry on is too big).”
“Go back to supplying a lightsnack and a soda for free.”
Suggestions for improvements on the airlines focus on comfort, more specifically, betterseats with more room and some mentions of wanting more food options.
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Personal Travel Tips
Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)
Q37: Thinking about what you have gotten good at when it comes to air travel, what are some of your own personal travel tips you can share with others to makeair travel less stressful and more enjoyable?
“Dress comfortably,bring a book, wash
your hands.”
“Pack less and get tothe airport early to
relax.”
“Bring an emptywater bottle and fill itup once past security.”
“Just use carry-onluggage if possible.”
“Check baggage andpay for extra leg
room.”
“Relax! If you forgetanything, you can replace
it at your destination.Have fun.”
“Get there early, pick seatin advance, try to get non-
stop flights.”
“Stay calm, it allworks out.”
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Detailed Findings:Generational Differences
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Base: Generational Leisure Air Traveler Respondents (n=949)
Q26a: Please rate your feelings about flying.
How Stressful Is Flying?The younger generations have higher levels of travel stress and nervous feelings aboutflying compared to Baby Boomers.According to the American Psychological Association, Millennials report more stress overallcompared to any other generation.(Source: Why Millennials Are So Stressed – And What To Do About It, Psychology Today, September 2015)
Fear Of FlyingOverall Stress Level
44% 47%61%
27%30%
25%
29% 23%14%
Millennials(n=223)
GenX(n=219)
BabyBoomers(n=507)
Stressful (T2B)
Neutral
Not Stressful(B2B)
Base: Generational Leisure Air Traveler Respondents (n=949)
Q9: Overall, how would you rate your most recent air travel experience?
**
*
42% 47%62%
20%22%
16%
38% 31% 23%
Millennials(n=223)
GenX(n=219)
BabyBoomers(n=507)
Nervous (T2B)
Neutral
Relaxed (B2B)
*
* *
* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level36
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Base: Generational Leisure Air Traveler Respondents (n=949)
Q13: How early did you arrive at the airport?
Pre-Board Behaviors• Millennials tend to arrive at the airport with less time to spare, compared to Baby
Boomers, and go straight to their gate after passing security.
Arrival Before Flight
46%
54%
36%
64%
30%
70%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Did not gostraight to gate
Wentstraight to gate
Millennials (n=223)
GenX (n=219)
Baby Boomers (n=507)
Getting to the Gate
Q19: After you passed through security, which of the following did you do?
11%
23%
36%
30%
7%
26%
39%
28%
20%
31%
33%
16%
0% 20% 40%
1 hr or less
1.5 hrs
2 hrs
Over 2 hrs
Millennials (n=223)
GenX (n=219)
Baby Boomers (n=507)
**
*
*
*
*
*
* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level37
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Pre-Board Preparations
51%
30%
21%
30%
14%
5%
58%
31%
27%25%
9% 8%
67%
37%
30%
15% 14%
5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
On-site (NET) Deskattendant
Kiosk Web Email App
Baby Boomers (n=507) GenX (n=219) Millennials (n=223)
Base: Generational Leisure Air Traveler Respondents (n=949)
Q16: How did you check in and obtain your boarding pass?
Obtaining Boarding Pass Checking Luggage
80%Checked
Q17a: Did you check any luggage at the airport?
Q17b: Where at the airport did you check your bags?
25%
72%
3%
25%
67%
8%
23%
66%
11%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Curbside At counter/Kiosk At gate
Baby Boomers (n=507) GenX (n=219) Millennials (n=223)
**
* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level
*
* **
• Millennials are more likely to check in at a kiosk and less likely to do so via the web.• While there are no real differences between the generations regarding whether they
check luggage, the younger generations are more likely than Boomers to check at thegate.
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Q33: Which of the following travel apps, if any, did you use during air travel?
Travel AppsMillennials use travel apps more than any other generation. Google tops their list offavorites while GenX and Boomers prefer airline specific apps.
Popular Apps(Among App Users)
19%
55%
10% 12% 10%6%
34%
40%
13%8% 8% 8%
56%
34%
13%9%
6% 5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Airline specific Google FlightAware FlightStats Trip it: TripPlanner
Gate Guru
Millennials (n=139) GenX (n=105) Baby Boomers (n=172)
Millennials
62%
App Usage - % Yes
GenX
48%
Boomers
34%
Base: Millennials (n=223); GenX(n=219); Baby Boomers (n=507)
*
*
**
*
* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level
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Base: Generational Leisure Air Traveler Respondents (n=949)
Q28: What activities did you partake in while on your flight to your destination?
In-Flight ActivitiesMillennials are more likely than Baby Boomers and GenXers to stay entertained onthe flight with electronics and connectivity.
Passing the Time on the Flight
47%41% 43%
39%
54%
36%30%
3%
45%42% 42% 40%
37%34%
13%6%
69%
54%57%
44%
31%
16%13%
3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Read Eat/Drink Talk Sleep Watch Listen Connect Work
Millennials (n=223) GenX (n=219) Baby Boomers (n=507)
*
* **
* **
*
* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level
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Other Generational Differences
Millennials GenX Baby BoomersBase: 223 219 507
When they travel…
Spring 26% 34% 38% *
Summer 30% * 20% 17%
Fall 9% 14% 21% *
Winter/Holiday 35% * 32% * 24%
Where they go…
Domestic 71% 80% * 78% *
International 29% * 20% 22%
Who travels solo…
Took trip alone 12% 17% 25% *
How they get to airport…
Own car 36% 48% * 46% *
Friend/family 44% * 33% 36%
Cab 4% 9% * 7%
Uber/Car service 11% * 4% 3%
Other 6% 6% 7%
Who flies through security…
TSA Pre-Check (% yes) 31% * 23% 37% *
Who is connected…
WiFi usage in airport (free) 72% * 65% * 56%
WiFi usage in airport (paid) 6% * 3% 1%
Who needs a charge…
Needed to power device in airport 41% * 35% * 19%
* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level
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Appendix
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Methodology• A 15-minute online survey was conducted
among males and females, 18+, who havetraveled by air for a leisure trip in the pastyear.
• The survey was in field from April 26 – May10, 2016.
• A total of n=1,216 surveys were completed;final counts are detailed in the table to theright.
• Final data has been weighted to U.S.Census, by generation, for analysis.
• The analysis focuses on the Air Travelexperiences of Baby Boomers (n=507)
Members Non-Members
Base 487 729
Gender
Male 255 346
Female 232 383
Age
Millennial 0 223
GenX 23 196
Baby Boomer 301 206
Other 163 104
Ethnicity
Caucasian/Other 310 407
African American 83 134
Hispanic 75 109
Asian 19 79
Region
Northeast 86 131
Midwest 97 152
South 190 285
West 114 161
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AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Research TeamThis research was designed and executed by 50+ Research:
In partnership with:
AARP Research, 50+ Research
Vicki Gelfeld, Research Advisor [email protected]
Patty David, Sr Research Advisor/Team Lead [email protected]
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