Mobile Travel Surges: Why 54% of Passengers Prefer Direct Airline Booking
Key Points
- 154% of global travelers now prefer direct airline booking, shifting away from third-party channels, driven by mobile app use.
- 278% of passengers desire a single smartphone solution combining digital wallet, passport, and loyalty cards for the entire journey.
- 3Biometric technology adoption reached 50% of passengers, but 42% of the unwilling would reconsider if data protection and privacy were guaranteed.
- 4Digital wallets increased from 20% to 28% of payments, indicating a rapid change in air travel payment habits.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports a sharp rise in mobile-driven air travel. The shift is driven by travelers using smartphones for their entire journey. The 2025 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) details this change.
More than half of global travelers now prefer to book directly with airlines. This figure stands at 54% of all passengers surveyed. This trend is largely due to mobile apps and digital platforms. Airline websites remain the most popular booking channel at 31%. However, this is a notable decline from 37% in 2024.
The All-in-One Digital Traveler
Smartphones are now central to the passenger journey. This includes booking, payment, check-in, and boarding. A key finding shows strong demand for a single smartphone-based solution. About 78% of passengers want this all-in-one tool. It would combine a digital wallet, digital passport, and loyalty cards.
Evolving Payment and Biometric Technology Adoption
Air travel payment habits are changing quickly. Credit and debit cards are still dominant at 72%. Yet, their usage has dropped from 79% in 2024. Digital wallets saw significant growth in one year. They rose from 20% to 28% of transactions. Instant payment options like IATA Pay also increased. Their usage grew from 6% to 8%.
Biometric technology adoption is accelerating in airports. Half of all passengers (50%) have used biometrics. This is up from 46% in 2024. This represents a nearly 20 percentage point jump since 2022. Biometrics are most common at security and immigration checkpoints.
Passenger satisfaction with biometrics is high at 85%. Nearly three-quarters (74%) would share data to skip checks. This includes avoiding showing passports or boarding passes.
Cybersecurity and Trust Remain Key
Nick Careen is IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security. He noted that passengers expect digital convenience. This mirrors the ease they find in other parts of their lives. He stressed that travelers want to use their smartphones and digital ID.
However, cybersecurity and privacy concerns are still important. About 42% of unwilling passengers would reconsider. This is only if data protection was guaranteed. Careen emphasized that building trust is a priority. Cybersecurity must be core to the airline digital transformation.
Governments and regulators, such as the FAA, must also adapt. The success of digital identity systems requires cross-border recognition. For example, the airline Emirates has been a leader. They have invested heavily in biometric pathways. This helps to create a seamless passenger flow.
Regional Differences in Digital Adoption
The GPS highlights varying regional trends. Asia-Pacific travelers lead in digital adoption. Europe shows more caution regarding biometrics. North American passengers want convenience but worry about privacy. Middle Eastern travelers report high satisfaction. This is often driven by loyalty and service quality.
This data underscores a clear future direction. The aviation industry is moving to a mobile-first model. This must balance convenience with security and trust. For more insights on these trends, visit our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.
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