Navigating airports can be a stressful experience, and a recent survey sheds light on the biggest pain points for American travelers. Long lines at airport security (61%) and flight delays or cancellations (57%) emerged as the most common challenges, followed by long lines at terminal counters (41%). These findings come from a survey commissioned by Checkin.com Group, a leader in online check-in solutions.
The survey delves deeper into the issue of waiting times, revealing that only 8% of respondents experienced waits under 10 minutes at airport security. A significant 23% reported waiting between 30 and 45 minutes, while 9% spent between 46 minutes and an hour waiting in line. An unfortunate 4% of travelers even reported waiting over an hour.
Interestingly, the survey also highlighted a strong desire for smoother airport experiences. A whopping three-quarters (76%) of respondents expressed a willingness to pay for pre-screening of their travel documents, such as passports and visas, before arriving at the airport. Among those willing to pay, 35% said they would pay more than $10, and 33% would pay between $5 and $10. This suggests a strong demand for solutions that could alleviate the stress and frustration associated with long lines.
“It’s surprising how willing consumers are to pay extra to avoid delays, especially considering the available technology that could streamline the airport experience,” said April Rae Mallord, General Manager of the U.S. Market for Checkin.com Group. “There are systems in place that could eliminate these frustrations for passengers, enhancing their flying experience.”
The survey also explored traveler satisfaction with U.S. airline mobile apps. SkyWest Airlines topped the list with a satisfaction rating of 93%, followed closely by Alaska Airlines at 91% and Allegiant Air at 87%. On the other hand, Frontier Airlines (73%), Spirit Airlines (70%), and Hawaiian Airlines (65%) scored the lowest in terms of traveler satisfaction with their apps. This data highlights the growing importance of mobile app functionality for airlines to provide a positive passenger experience.
