Global travel search site Skyscanner has predicted that by 2024 airports will be highly intelligent spaces providing passengers with a sense of wellbeing; and that airlines will become cyber hubs where travellers will be able to create their own space to suit their business or leisure needs.
Releasing the sequel to its ‘Future of Travel’ report, the travel search engine has talked of what travel journeys will look like in 2024.
Section II of the report has “decoded” the next decade of travel experiences and the future of airports. It claimed developments like automated self-service technologies, check-in with a voice command, laser molecular scanners and other emerging technologies will lead to automated airport infrastructure by 2024, thereby transforming both domestic and international travel.
According to Skyscanner, the future will see an entirely automated airport journey where passengers will take complete control, eliminating check-in desks and queues, thus speeding up the process. Passengers will be able to check in and drop off their bags at Starbucks as they buy coffee and use their smartphones to monitor the queue times at security as they choose the best route to get to their gates.
The birth of ‘The Internet of Things’ also meant that more and more products will be connected to the Web and to each other, allowing devices to ‘talk to one another’. Giving an example, the report said pre-set digital luggage tags and suitcases would include all flight details and destination information, allowing holiday-makers to track their bags throughout their journey. These systems along with biometric data cards would mean that travellers will be able to experience a much more efficient, pleasant and faster airport journey.
Once through security, Skyscanner has predicted that departure halls would become the start of the holiday experience with beautiful, mood-lifting spaces full of distractions from art galleries and gardens to 3D cinemas and yoga retreats. A recent survey by Skyscanner had found that 43 per cent of passengers would love to see an open-air park or beach as part of their airport experience. This desire for more expansive, open buildings will form the design of new and inspiring Aerovilles that will become the mainstream airport by 2024.
The report has forecast that these wellness hubs will be accompanied with interactive walls and floors, transforming shopping and eating experiences. New haptic technology will allow passengers to smell, feel and see the products they want to buy from the comfort of the rooftop pool. ‘Phygital’ technology – physical and digital retail techniques – means travellers will also be able order goods with a wave of a hand or by a simple verbal command.
Along with holographic airport staff, the report said, Skype-style hologram systems will be available whilst on-board, allowing passengers to hold 3D conversations with friends and family during their flights. Sonic disrupters will be embedded in passenger seats to prevent other travellers from hearing conversations and haptic gloves will allow them to shake hands with a business colleague oversees, feeling the pressure of touch as it happens. Morphing seats will offer travellers different levels of comfort based on individual preferences and will become a combination of a mobile living room and virtual office, pre-loaded with personalised multimedia films, music and data.
Part 2 of Skyscanner’s three part future-gazing report has been produced in association with The Future Laboratory and fifty-six trend experts and futurologists in the travel and tech industries. Part-1 had looked at what the future had in store for planning and booking holidays.
Image Credit: Skyscanner
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