Direct air link is a key factor influencing passengers on airline choice, with connectivity and value for money ranking among the top priorities, according to a survey conducted by flydubai, a leading low-cost carrier.

Direct air link is a key factor influencing passengers on airline choice, with connectivity (37 per cent) and value for money (24 per cent) ranking among the top priorities, according to a survey conducted by flydubai, a leading low-cost carrier.

The airline’s new research focuses on the latest travel trends, behaviours and preferences based on the analysis of over 4,000 independent opinions that are compiled every week from flydubai passengers.

“From the latest technology on board our aircraft we are able to have access, through the in-flight entertainment system, to every passenger and hear their views,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of Flydubai.

“The data we are capturing shows travel patterns as well as behaviours and importantly helps us to drive innovation to meet our passengers’ expectations.  The timeliness of this analysis and our emphasis of putting the customer experience at the core of our operations give us a unique insight to our passengers. This keeps us focused on what is important to the passenger.”

“The Arabian Travel Market provides an opportunity to showcase our latest product development and share our research with other members of the travel industry. With an 86 per cent recommendation rate this is in line with the standards set by Dubai, the leading destination for global travel, business and events,” Al Ghaith added.

The research showed that the flydubai Business Class passenger tends to be younger, travels frequently, and gives priority to convenience and good value.

The airline’s Business Class appeals to a younger traveller with 43 per cent of passengers under the age of 34 and 27 per cent aged between 35 and 44 years old, according to the report.

The frequency of travel across the flydubai network showed that 26 per cent of passengers from Africa travelled monthly, 29 per cent from Kuwait, 21 per cent from Saudi Arabia, 13 per cent from India, 17 per cent from Russia, 15 per cent from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and 21 per cent from Eastern Europe.

Flydubai’s Business Team is available to support business class passengers from the time they book their ticket until the end of their journey with 87 per cent reporting that the Business Team could resolve their enquiries, the report said.

Key findings of the research include:

•    86 per cent of passengers who participated in the survey would recommend Flydubai

•    62 per cent of Business Class passengers are repeat travellers

•    45 per cent of our Business Class passengers book through travel agents

•    91 per cent remarked positively on the appearance of the cabin

•    81 per cent of Business Class passengers say they enjoyed the comfort of the seat

•    86 per cent of Business Class passengers enjoy the legroom

•    91 per cent of customers found the crew to be helpful, efficient and knowledgeable

•    78 per cent of Business Class passengers report baggage check-in times of 5 minutes or less

•    79 per cent of passengers report Immigration queues of less than 5 minutes

•    Two-thirds of passengers report queues at Security of less than 5 minutes – TradeArabia News Service