The age of flight attendants adorned in gogo pants and piano bars onboard the aircraft has left the building

airlines are scrambling over one another to have the most lie-flat seats on board – with duvets, of course.

Back on the ground, Delta and United have ramped up luxury car transfers on the tarmac for high value fliers with short connections. It is not unheard of for airlines, like Delta for example, to send big spenders tokens of appreciation including bottles of Dom Perignon or gift baskets as a thank you for doing business with them.

Why It Matters

Cash is king, and those who pull the purse strings control the destiny of many a travel company. This is why the Expedia survey is so relevant to today’s business travel reality and why travel providers are taking notice of what the new generation of travelers wants. The age of flight attendants adorned in go-go pants and piano bars onboard the aircraft has left the building, and today’s oft-unpleasant travel experience is being evolved bit by bit to lure travelers.

With a little coordination and a lot of spending muscle, today’s travelers can be recognized as rulers of the road by doing business with the same company and its partners. The win-win benefit for travel providers and the travelers themselves is a more positive travel experience. In 2014, it is certain that even more developments in the loyalty program sector will influence the way in which travelers make airline and hotel purchasing decisions. What is left it be seen, however, is if it will drive increased loyalty or simply break it apart. BT