Five ways 5G will change the air travel experience

5G has the potential to have a significant impact on the air travel experience and achieve many process improvements. By improving everything from passenger handling and security to baggage management and retail operations, enhanced connectivity will benefit both passengers and employees.

 

Long security check lines, long waiting times in retail stores and restaurants, and unreliable technology (such as slow or unstable Wi-Fi) can cause frustration and interference for air travel passengers, airport operators, and service personnel. 5G is the fifth-generation mobile network, which has the potential to change the rules of the game for air travel and provide services that can ease passenger barriers and improve operations.

 

"With low latency and high-speed data connections, air travel passengers and transportation partners can enjoy a large number of new features and services at airports and airplanes," said Jerry Traflett, Verizon's managing partner in retail, travel, and distribution. “From the navigation of security checkpoints and airport facilities, to the ordering and payment of goods, food and beverages, to keeping in touch and streaming content, 5G has the potential to significantly enhance the travel experience.”

This article explores the five main ways airlines, airports, industry workers, and passengers benefit from this cutting-edge technology, and what the customer experience will look like in the coming years.

 

Passenger convenience

Most airline passengers are already using their smartphones to manage air travel logistics, such as checking in, checking luggage, accessing mobile boarding passes and receiving flight status updates. 5G can enhance all these touchpoints-from journey to airport to takeoff by providing faster network speeds and lower data access latency for mobile-based activities.

 

From the airport’s point of view, 5G can provide more powerful features to provide wayfinding applications, personalized mobile messaging, and other proximity-based digital signage, which can be updated in near real-time, so passengers can Make the most of your time. For example, several airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and New York Kennedy (JFK), use next-generation connectivity to send messages to remind passengers and staff about the Covid-19 security agreement.

As passengers pass through the airport, they will be able to roam seamlessly between the cellular network and Wi-Fi, which will enable the network to better manage traffic demands, including streaming media and downloading large files.

 

Traflet said: “5G allows passengers to have a contactless and personalized experience throughout the journey.” “Passengers’ smartphones have become the standard for boarding passes. By opt-in preference, airlines, airports, and airport companies Personalized information and offers can be triggered as passengers travel through the airport."

 

Business connection

Just as high-speed connectivity is as important to travelers, 5G can provide airport retailers and restaurants with enhanced services and features.

 

With faster cloud-based point-of-sale systems and mobile apps, not to mention self-service kiosks for ordering and paying for food, beverages and retail, customers and employees alike can benefit from convenient ordering and payment options because and Faster service. Reducing long or unpredictable waiting times for airport shopping will increase customer satisfaction, increase operational efficiency, and increase employee retention.

 

Inventory management

According to SITA, a leading IT provider in the air transportation industry, 4G technology can manage approximately 10,000 devices within one square kilometer. At the same time, 5G networks are expected to eventually manage as many as 1 million. Imagine the possibility of being able to confidently connect and track baggage, parcels, pallets and containers, and all other airport inventory, which constantly passes through security, ground, plane, and return-all in one go.

 

Traflet said: "5G allows the use of existing networks, such as Wi-Fi, while providing a way to adopt more advanced networks, and unleash the benefits of increased equipment, speed, reliability, and scalability to support advanced imaging applications." With the ability to seamlessly connect IoT devices, data can be captured, transmitted, stored, and processed in near real-time."

  

Operational efficiency

IoT connectivity will also improve processes that are simple in theory but involve a lot of work in practice. Everything has potential IoT applications: optimizing line length; controlling the lighting of runways, loading areas, and roads; cleaning bathrooms; using self-driving cars to transport people and luggage through airports and shuttle buses; and more imaginable.

 

For example, at Heathrow Airport, British Airways tested an automated electric tug to automate aircraft taxiing, and the system reduced delays related to pushback by 53%.

 

The ability of remote and robot management to perform simple operations will enable more ground personnel to participate in customer service activities that require humanization, while improving the passenger experience and the safety of passengers and agents.

 

Strong security

Efficient and comprehensive security measures are the top priority for airport operators and passengers. Since 5G networks can provide the ability to operate effective and high-quality security systems, airports can implement high-definition video surveillance to provide a stream of near-real-time situational data analysis promised by artificial intelligence-driven security surveillance services.

From a processing point of view, biometric devices can also rely on 5G for secure entry. Concessions and automated passport scanners can be used in conjunction with these to reduce labor-intensive screening through automated processes. In addition, with the consent of the customer, the airport can use biometric technology (face recognition, fingerprints, fingerprints) to reduce boarding time.

 

For example, Face Express allows passengers at Tokyo Haneda International Airport to check in, pass through security checkpoints, drop luggage, and board the plane, all of which can be done through facial recognition scans.

 

The future of onboard operations

Traflet said: “Although it is still under development and testing with multiple technology providers, one day it can provide enhanced connectivity in flight.” “Through high-speed data and communication transmission, 5G can create better quality streaming services for passengers. And enhance the capabilities of airline employees."

 

The ultimate benefit of 5G for air travel will come from the complete connection of the aircraft itself. More data that is easier to process and analyze means better maintenance and faster turnaround times, which may lead to stricter and more predictable scheduling. The ability of pilots to communicate seamlessly with air traffic control and use enhanced technologies in the cockpit can improve safety and flight optimization. These features can also support the continuous development of autonomous flight operations. Of course, all of these can be transformed into the best traveler experience.