Interview: AIX events director Archana Dharni on what airline passengers need
The most recent edition of The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) aviation fair attracted some 12,000 professionals, 460 exhibitors and 166 airlines. Its director tells us how aircraft interiors and expectations are evolving.
Archana Dharni was recently appointed events director for Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), an aviation fair that takes place in Hamburg every spring.
How are people’s travel habits changing?
People are taking longer flights and airlines are doing a lot to accommodate for this. How do carriers put passenger safety first? And, while safety is key, how do they ensure that travellers are comfortable? Passenger expectations have evolved significantly over the years. It’s not just about getting from A to B. Our day-to-day comforts now need to be replicated in the cabin. Airlines are analysing different data points to figure out how they can continue to personalise their offering.
Personalisation is key, then?
We have been discussing the topic of personalisation for years. What do passengers want? Once you have the answer, you need to create a cabin that facilitates their needs. This can be achieved through ambient lighting, meals, drinks, the choice of amenities and in-flight entertainment. We’re not quite at a level of total individual personalisation yet but we know that the long-term goal is to get to that point. There are already a lot of ways in which we can increase the number of options for passengers.
Are passengers becoming more demanding?
For short-haul flyers, it’s still about getting from A to B. But with long-haul passengers, especially with what they’re paying for flights now, there’s a level of expectation about what they are getting in that space.
You have talked a lot about comfort. Is it becoming more important to airlines?
Air New Zealand has introduced beds to its economy class. Is this likely to happen elsewhere straight away? No, probably not. But different options to boost passenger comfort are being explored. Airlines are beginning to provide travellers with alternative choices that cater more closely to their needs and increase their level of comfort.
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