When it comes to airline travel, perhaps nothing has revolutionized the passenger experience more than airline apps. Indeed, they're becoming so ubiquitous that more than 50 percent of U.S travelers have at least one airline app installed on their smart device, according to travel industry research firm Phocuswright.
Maybe that's because apps make travel easier, and often are more functional than a kiosk or even an airline's own website. Passengers report that they're often more quickly informed of a flight cancellation or gate change than an airline employee. Not all airline apps are created equal, but in general you can use an app to check in for a flight, change seats, and request and pay for an upgrade. Road warriors in particular appreciate mobile boarding passes and the ability to track their flights. Many airlines now offer free on board streaming entertainment via apps. The Delta Air Lines app even allows users to track their bags, from check-in to carousel, while the Air France app lets passengers download magazines and newspapers from the airline's library 30 hours prior to departure.
But what if you are traveling extensively on more than one airline? Global airline alliances have their own apps that allow you to view flights for all member airlines and their affiliates, including code
share flights. In general, you can find flight schedules for all member airlines and track member airline
flights. Airport information is available, as are details about local weather at the destination. Where's
the nearest airport lounge? The app will locate it for you.
The SkyTeam airline alliance app goes a step further by letting its SkyPriority members(SkyTeam Elite
Plus members and customers with first and business-class tickets) find out exactly which SkyPriority
services--including priority check in and baggage drop off, as well as access to priority security lanes
and boarding lanes--are available at individua
A.BiaseD
B.Neutral
C.Critical
D.Radical