Every step of the air travel sucked. From leaving to the airport hours before the flight, to crowded uncomfortable waiting areas, cramped seating, bad food and don't get me started on security. Not being one to complain just for fun, I spent most of the time in the airport thinking about what I would do differently if I ran an airline. I'm kind of an expert on the topic, considering that one of my ideas was published in David Pogue's book a few years ago </sarcasm>.
I'm only going to include the ideas that I think are semi-feasible without overhauling our entire infrastructure. Here's how I would envision it:
1. Comfortable waiting areas. There should be enough seating for everyone on the flight to sit before boarding. Power outlets built into every chair, so you can recharge your electronic devices. Free high speed WiFi. I would also like to see nap rooms (they can charge for them) in every terminal with with beds or recliners that you can sleep in while waiting for your flight.
2. Smart boarding passes. Boarding passes can be made smarter and more functional. Some of the ideas I have are to include your picture on the boarding pass, which preferably will be completely electronic and use a technology like NFC. This can be taken pretty far. It can theoretically be used for security and to track you while you're in the airport.
3. Smarter boarding. There's no reason to have a line prior to boarding. There are a few different methods that can be used to board passengers more efficiently. Boarding first class passengers and then boarding from the back rows to the front, seems like a reasonable start.
4. Carry-on storage. One of the biggest bottlenecks in the boarding process is caused by people taking forever to store their carry-on bags. The problem gets even worse when late boarders come on, only to find there's no space for them to store their bags. My solution is to have a reserved storage bin for each seat, which can only be opened with their smart boarding pass.
5. Smart Seats. On one leg of our flight, we booked a window and an aisle seat, with the middle seat between us empty. Unfortunately, the flight turned out to be fully booked and someone had to sit in between us. When we got to our seats we found that the guy who was supposed to be in the middle seat decided he'd rather have the window seat, so he took our seat. Happened to be we planned to ask whoever got the middle seat to switch, so we could sit next to each other, but people switching seats without permission is a big problem. My solution is again, smart boarding passes. You would have to scan your boarding pass in order to unlock your seat.
6. Bigger, more comfortable seats. This is where the biggest change is needed. Airlines need to make money and their experts have decided that the best way to do that is to cram as many passengers as possible onto a plane. It makes sense. There's a minimum cost to fly a plane on any route (fuel, crew, etc.) and the more people you divide the cost by, the lower the cost per passenger which means you can sell tickets cheaper and they believe that's what's necessary to fill their planes and bank accounts. I have no problem with them making money, but I believe there's a better way. I think everyone is sick of being herded like cattle onto planes and anyone who could afford to would pay extra to be treated like a person and be able to fly in comfort. It would take the right mix of more comfortable seats, better service and smart pricing to make it work, but I believe they could make up the costs and still fill the planes.
7. WiFi on all flights and change FAA rules to allow electronic devices to be used even during takeoff and landing.
8. Efficient off-loading. The most frustrating part of flying for me is getting off the plane. Everyone stands up as soon as the seatbelt sign is turned off, even though the door won't be opened for 5-10 minutes. Then there's a whole traffic jam b/c people block the whole isle while getting their bags from the overhead compartment. It wouldn't be too hard to unload the passengers in sections, from back to front or vice versa in an orderly way.
Of course even if someone tried all these ideas, they'd still have to overcome the herd mentality and that's an uphill battle. Unfortunately people are willing to put up with being treated like crap, so much so that they'll show up hours early for flights, get in line as soon as boarding is called and jump up as soon as they land. The airlines have no real incentive to provide customer service. It would be risky to offer a higher priced, less crappy service, especially when they're doing fine with the current system. Sadly, it's unlikely air travel will get any better in the near future and my idea for a real luxury airline (don't worry, I'll spare you the details of my dream) is hopeless.
In the meantime, if you have to fly, get lounge access and don't go to the gate until final boarding call, it's the only way to stay sane.
8. Efficient off-loading. The most frustrating part of flying for me is getting off the plane. Everyone stands up as soon as the seatbelt sign is turned off, even though the door won't be opened for 5-10 minutes. Then there's a whole traffic jam b/c people block the whole isle while getting their bags from the overhead compartment. It wouldn't be too hard to unload the passengers in sections, from back to front or vice versa in an orderly way.
Of course even if someone tried all these ideas, they'd still have to overcome the herd mentality and that's an uphill battle. Unfortunately people are willing to put up with being treated like crap, so much so that they'll show up hours early for flights, get in line as soon as boarding is called and jump up as soon as they land. The airlines have no real incentive to provide customer service. It would be risky to offer a higher priced, less crappy service, especially when they're doing fine with the current system. Sadly, it's unlikely air travel will get any better in the near future and my idea for a real luxury airline (don't worry, I'll spare you the details of my dream) is hopeless.
In the meantime, if you have to fly, get lounge access and don't go to the gate until final boarding call, it's the only way to stay sane.
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