The new, sleek airline website
June 26, 2006 |
Domestic airlines are discovering that by redesigning their Web sites, they can cut costs, shore up the loyalty of business travelers and even lure customers away from other travel sites.
On many reworked airline sites, for example, customers can easily manage their frequent-flier accounts; travel awards and upgrades, which typically used to be arranged over the phone with an airline clerk, now can be easily booked online. Some sites display calendars showing open dates and seat-availability charts.
As international travel grows, airlines have also simplified the process of booking complicated schedules to just a few clicks — including travel with two airlines that are code-sharing partners.
Many travelers are also drawn to online check-in, which permits passengers to print out their boarding passes and is now a standard feature at airline Web sites. The sites give airlines the ability to promote special fares and other offers through direct marketing and e-mail alerts.
Many of the airlines’ Web site initiatives are aimed at increasing, or regaining, business travelers’ loyalty.
“Business travelers in general are people who are self-motivated,” said Travis Christ, the vice president of marketing for US Airways. “They know what they want and where they want to go. The trick is to improve the level of empowerment available to them online.”
Get the full story at The New York Times
Related Articles
Social media empowers new modes of travel
19 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Where German travelers are headed in 2010
19 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
HotelPlanner.com launches new meeting space reservations platform
19 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
10 travel innovation trends for 2010
18 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
eLong meets Ctrip’s best price guarantee
17 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
China expected to stimulate world travel economy in 2010
16 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Google Marketplace drives corporate travel apps
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
IATA sees brighter 2010 outlook
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Expedia to lift investment in Kuxun.cn
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
How TripAdvisor engages mass influencers
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Most Popular Articles
Does your hotel really need a social media strategy?
11 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
How TripAdvisor engages mass influencers
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
6 ways to drive more online travel sales in 2010
11 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Top ten best practices for today’s online hotel marketer
17 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Why should I open your e-mail?
09 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
The need for a more holistic approach to revenue management
10 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
How have Web 2.0 & social media shaped online hotel marketing?
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Google Marketplace drives corporate travel apps
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Five creative strategies for hotels to attract new repeat guests
17 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Starwood runs loyalty pilot program that targets rivals’ customers
15 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Economic Downturn
Recovery over a year away, say European hotel executives
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
China expected to stimulate world travel economy in 2010
16 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
IATA sees brighter 2010 outlook
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Virgin America’s guide to not screwing up customer service
12 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
UK travelers plan to take multiple trips abroad in 2010
09 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Un-stoppable growth in OTA bookings, GDS still lacking behind
05 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Global hotel prices dropped beyond 2004 levels during 2009
02 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Things are looking up for U.S. airlines
02 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Asia leads travel industry’s recovery
26 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
Meeting buyers see budget cutbacks ease
25 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Travel companies grapple with “new normal”
23 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
Europe likely to see recovery, not growth, says STR
22 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Hogg Robinson Group sees early signs of recovery
22 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
US Travel growth expected in 2010
18 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
IHG’s profit drops 18%, as hotel rates continue to fall
16 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry












