Top 10 airport features commuters want
AIRPORTS have become more than just gateways for awaiting air travel commuters over the past few years.
Airport terminals, already far removed from modest, have become abuzz with busy food courts, shops and more.
Popular online travel blog, Travelstart, conducted a survey asking 6 000 South African participants what they though would make their airport experiences more complete.
About 65% of commuters agreed that free Wi-Fi should be a “mandatory service” available at all airports, despite the fact that there is already 30 minutes or 50MB of data available per device at all ACSA airports. Research however indicated that this is not enough for “connection hungry South Africans”.
Commuters also suggested features such as a sleeping room where they could rejuvenate before catching their next flight.
Inner airport transport between terminals was also high on the list for South African commuters.
The following lists suggest the top 10 most popular airport features:
Mandatory free Wi-Fi – 65% Sleeping areas – 47% Transport to gate/concourse/terminal – 39% Shower facilities – 27% Kids playroom – 23% Library – 13% Health spa – 12% Cinema – 11% Games room – 9% Gym – 6%
According to Travelstart, a few imaginative flyers believe a swimming pool and nightclub are some of the less likely facilities to enrich their airport experience.
“While these aspirations might seem outlandish, they become less bizarre when you consider some of the weirdest airport features around the globe, such as Munich Airport which houses a wave pool much like the one at Durban’s Gateway Shopping Centre!”
When looking at existing airport features, 36% of com- muters feel that the unclear PA system announcements contributed negatively to their South African airport experience.
Interestingly however, ACSA has launched a free application for smartphones, which offers a guide to everything in the airport.
The application provides commuters with convenient tools to find shops and restaurants, airline and travel information, as well as weather reports and customer care details.
Alternatively the application also syncs with the Gautrain time schedule, ensuring that passengers travelling to Gauteng have access to alternative transportation.
To download this application simply search: Airports Company South Africa. The application is available for both Android and iOS.