OPINION / 13
The digital cabin
apps in action David Whelan, senior analyst at Valour Consultancy, shares his thoughts on the rise of digital cabin applications
As the aviation industry emerges from the COVID downturn and global air passenger numbers begin to recover, many airlines are looking to digital cabin applications to improve operational efficiency and increase passenger satisfaction. Many airlines have sought to reduce touchpoints in the cabin and minimise unnecessary interaction between crew and passengers. Crew-facing tools such as cabin management applications are optimising operations onboard by reducing the amount of time that the crew has to spend performing repetitive tasks, and freeing up time to focus on passenger needs. Leading solutions help the crew perform pre-, in, and post-flight tasks all in one easyto-use platform. As well as filling in and submitting reports, applications can also help the crew keep track of passenger specific information such as dietary requirements or pre-flight requests. Key to this are passenger seat maps, which enable the crew to keep track of the whole cabin as well as focussing in on individual passenger requirements at the touch of a button.
Low-cost appeal Cabin management apps, as well as wireless IFE platforms, are proving particularly popular among LCCs that are keen to maximise operational efficiency and enhance ancillary revenue generation. The number of LCC aircraft equipped with a cabin management application is set to grow from around 1,800 today to more than 5,000 by the end of the decade.
Holistic cabin management apps are increasingly seen as a necessity, rather than a 'nice to have' Essential tools In addition to cabin management tools, app-based POS platforms such as those from AirFi, Retail inMotion and Gategroup are enabling airlines to revolutionise onboard sales and ancillary revenue generation. As well as payment processing, these solutions can also perform assist with inventory management, load passenger pre-order information, keep track of passenger loyalty points, and offer upselling opportunities. There are a myriad of benefits to digitalising the cabin and an increasing number of airlines are now looking to holistic cabin management applications as a necessity, rather than a “nice to have.” •
onboardhospitality.com
Opinion-david-whelan_v5.indd 13
5/30/22 07:30 PM
