AARP Travel - Air Travel by Generations Report · Q5: When did you take this most recent flight? Air Travel Overview • More than half (58%) of Baby Boomers have traveled by air

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Travel Research:Air Travel by Generations

Vicki GelfeldResearch AdvisorJuly 2016

https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00128.001

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDAARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Table of Contents

2016 Air Travel

Executive Summary 3

Detailed Findings

Air Travel Stats 7

Air Travel Stressors 14

Suggestions for Improvement 31

Generational Differences 35

Appendix 42

AARP Research Team 44

2

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDAARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3

Executive Summary


Executive SummaryAIR TRAVEL OVERVIEW

• Among the 58% of Baby Boomers who traveled for leisure by air in 2015, on averagethey took 2-3 trips by air across all seasons of the year.

• For Baby Boomers, air travel is relatively stress-free with just 14% rating their mostrecent air travel experience as stressful.

– Neither mobility nor the need to compensate for a hearing or vision loss appearsto be an issue for the majority of today’s Baby Boomer air travelers.

• Overall, the causes of the most stress are flight delays, a lack of legroom on the flight,and getting through security at the departure airport.

• Of those who do report high levels of stress associated with their most recent flight,most cite their experience at their departure airport (31%) as the most stressful aspectof their travel experience.

– Top airport stressors include getting through security (31%), checking in (26%), adelayed flight (26%), and waiting to board (25%).

4


Executive SummaryCAUSES OF AIR TRAVEL STRESS

• It appears that part of what causes stress related to air travel has more to do with theindividual person’s demeanor than any specific set of behaviors.

– Those who report being nervous about flying also report significantly higherlevels of stress related to almost every aspect of the air travel experience.However, they report similar, if not the exact same behaviors, as those who arenot nervous about flying (e.g. arrival time, check-in options, activities prior toboarding, items brought for personal entertainment, etc.).

• That said, there are a few relationships in the data worth mentioning:

– Of the 43% of Baby Boomers who indicated their most recent flight required aconnection, they account for 51% of those who report their trip as stressful. Theyalso make up 55% of those who are worried about flight delays.

– Those traveling with children (although a small portion of the Baby Boomerpopulation; 10%) also report higher levels of stress related to getting throughsecurity, finding their gate, and their gate being moved than do those travelingalone or with seniors (65+).

5


Executive SummaryGENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES

• Baby Boomers are far more relaxed about air travel than are Millennials and GenXerswith just 14% reporting their most recent trip as stressful, compared to 29% and 23%,respectively. This trend is mirrored in the percent who are nervous about flying; 23%vs. 38% and 31%, respectively.

• That said, for Millennials, part of their stress may also be caused by their behaviors.

– Over 50% arrive at the airport with one and half hours, or less, before their flightdeparts.

– And therefore, Millennials are more likely to report going straight to their gate,rather than taking advantage of the airport amenities prior to flight.

– Millennials’ nature to be ‘always on’ is no different when it comes to air travel,they report the highest usage of travel related apps (62% vs. 48% for GenX and34% for Boomers), and are more likely than older generations to bring their ownentertainment or work for in-flight distractions.

• Which also puts them in the position to be the most likely to be looking for apower supply prior to their flight (41% vs. 35% GenX and 14% Boomer).

6


Detailed Findings:Air Travel Stats – Understanding Our Audience


Base: Total Baby Boomer Leisure Air Travelers (n=507)

S10: Thinking about your leisure trips in the past year, for how many did you take an airplane to get to your final destination?

Q5: When did you take this most recent flight?

Air Travel Overview• More than half (58%) of Baby Boomers have traveled by air in the past year.• Among air travelers, they report taking 2 to 3 flights this past year for leisure purposes.• Their travel is fairly evenly spread across the seasons with the exception of a slight dip

specifically during the winter months (January and February).

Number of Trips – Past YearAmong Air Travelers

2.6

17% 17%

21%

14%

10%

21%

0%

10%

20%

30%

Spring2015

Summer2015

Fall 2015 Holiday2015

Winter2016

Spring2016

Time of YearIncidence of Air Travel

58%Base: Total Baby Boomers Screened (n=952)

8



Q3: Including yourself, how many people were flying together on your most recent leisure trip?

Q4: Specifically, who accompanied you on this trip?

Who Traveled WithBaby Boomers tend to travel with other adults (18+) instead of young children. Over halfindicated traveling with a spouse/significant other on their most recent trip, while one-fourth traveled alone.

Average Numberof Travel Companions

2%

4%

6%

14%

23%

25%

60%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Other

My Grandparent(s)

My Parent(s)

Friend(s)

Other family

My Child(ren)

Alone

Spouse/Sig Other

<1%

Relation of Travel Companions

2.7Total Travelers:

9



Q2: Where were you flying to on the most leisure trip you took?

Q6: Did you have any connecting flights on this most recent trip?

Most Recent Flight DestinationDomestic travel is most common among Boomers. Across all destinations, connectingflights are rather common with 43% of Boomers reporting taking one on their mostrecent trip.

78% 22%

43% Total

38% 62%

Destination

Domestic International

10



Q7a: Did you require any of the following types of assistance to move about the airport, either at your departure or destination city/or while making a connecting flight?

Q7b: Which of the following types of mobility assistance, to move about the airport either at your departure or destination city/or to make a connecting flight, was

needed by you or someone you were traveling with?

Need for AssistanceThe vast majority of Boomers who have traveled by air for leisure in the past year do not needassistance to move around the airport – for eitherthemselves or their travel companions. Nor do they suffer from hearing or vision loss.

Airport Mobility Assistance Used

4%

7%

2%

11%

89%

1%

7%

7%

93%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Motorized passenger cart

Wheelchair

Stroller/baby carrier

Assistance needed (NET)

No assistance needed

Flew Alone (n=128) Flew with Others (n=379)

N/A

Q8: Do you have any hearing or vision loss?

11


Needed aCharge:

19%

56% 1%

43%

Yes, free Yes, paid Did not use

Q22: Which of the following devices did you travel with on this last trip?

Q23: Did you use Wi-Fi in the airport while waiting for your flight?

Q24: Did you need to power up any of your electronic devices while waiting for your flight?

Electronic Devices & Power Supply• Over 90% of Boomers travel with some type of electronic device, primarily a smartphone.

• Only 1% of Boomers pay for airport Wi-Fi, but 56% will use it when its free.

• Finding power to charge a device is typically not an issue in the airport.

Devices Traveled With Use of Airport Wi-Fi


Base: Boomers Traveled with Device (n=461)

Base: BoomersTraveled with Device

(n=461)

Charging Device

Base: BoomersNeeding Charge

(n=88)

FoundPower:

94%

9%

6%

2%

8%

30%

43%

75%

91%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

None

Other

Handheld game

iPod

Laptop

Tablet

Smartphone

Traveled with device (NET)

Q25: Were you able to find a power source at the airport?

12


Base: Boomers Who Used a Travel App (n=172)

Q33: Which of the following travel apps, if any, did you use during air travel?

Travel AppsWhile most Boomers (66%) do not engage with travel apps, those who do tend to rely onthose that are airline specific.

Popular Apps(Among App Users)

56%

34%

13%9%

6% 5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

Airline specific Google FlightAware FlightStats Trip it: TripPlanner

Gate Guru


Note: Only 5%+ reported

Yes34%

No66%

App Usage

13


Detailed Findings:Air Travel Stressors



Q26a: Please rate your feelings about flying.

How Stressful Is Flying?For the most part, Baby Boomers report a rather stress-freeair travel experience, however, 23% report feeling nervousabout flying in general.

Fear Of Flying

61%

16%

23%Nervous (T2B)

Relaxed (B2B)

Neutral

Overall Stress Level

61%

25%

14%Stressful (T2B)

Not Stressful(B2B)

Neutral


Q9: Overall, how would you rate your most recent airtravel experience?

39% of thosewho had astressful

experiencehave a fear

of flying

Meaning, other factors arealso contributing to their

stress…

15



Q32: Thinking about your travel experience in general, what aspect of the trip tends to be most stressful?

Sources of StressIn total, it would appear getting to the airport is the cause of a significant amount of stress,however, among those who categorize their most recent trip as stressful, the general travelstress source tends to be at the departure airport, more so than other aspects of the trip.

Source of Most Stress

25% 16% 14% 11% 34%

Getting to Airport At Departure Airport The Flight At Arrival Airport None, No Stress

27%

12%

13%

31%

14%

15%

10%

15%

36%

27%

Getting to Airport At Departure Airport The Flight At Arrival Airport None, No Stress

Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers

Source of Most Stress By Level of Overall Trip Stress ReportedStressful Trip

(T2B)

Trip NotStressful

(B3B)

Of those who found their most recenttrip stressful, these 27% generally do

not find air travel to be stressful

16



Q10: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you either before you left home or on your way to the airport. 5pt Scale

Source of Stress: Getting to the AirportDelays, both flight and airport arrival, cause Baby Boomers the most stress beforearriving at the airport.

Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(Total Baby Boomer Air Travelers)

11%

3%

3%

5%

7%

10%

11%

11%

12%

16%

20%

23%

0% 10% 20% 30%

Other

What to wear on flight

Mobility assistance logistics

Joint replacements during body scan

Losing power on electronic device(s)

Privacy during security screen

Packing checked bag(s)

What might be rejected at security

Packing carry-on

National security

Getting to airport on time

Flight delays

17



Q10: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you either before you left home or on your way to the airport. 5pt Scale

Source of Stress: Getting to the AirportAmong those who rated their most recent trip as stressful, it appears the stress startedright away with a worry about possible flight delays.

Top 2 Box: Had Me Completely Stressed(By Level of Overall Trip Stress)

8%

2%

3%

3%

7%

8%

9%

9%

10%

14%

19%

20%

22%

9%

4%

16%

11%

27%

23%

25%

29%

25%

27%

42%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Other

What to wear on flight

Mobility assistance logistics

Joint replacements during body scan


Privacy during security screen

Packing checked bag(s)

What might be rejected at security

Packing carry-on

National security

Getting to airport on time

Flight delays

T2B Stressful(n=73)

B3B Not stressful(n=434)

*

* Significantly different at a 95% confidence level

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

18



Q11: How did you keep up with the status of your flightprior to arriving at the airport?

Behaviors Prior to Airport Arrival• The majority of Baby Boomers keep an eye on flight status via electronic options (website, email, text).• Boomers travel to the airport using a personal vehicle or hitching a ride with friends/family.• Boomers arrive at the airport with plenty of time before their flight; well over half (66%) say they allow at least 2 hours.

Monitoring Flight Status

23%

1%

4%

7%

16%

25%

33%

43%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Did not monitor

Other

Phone callfrom airline

Called 800#

Apps

Textnotifications

Emailnotifications

Website

Getting to the Airport

1%

2%

3%

5%

7%

36%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60%

Other

Subway/ metro

Uber/car service

Shuttle

Cab

Friend/ family

Drove own car

11%

23%

36%

30%

0% 20% 40%

1 hr or less

1.5 hrs

2 hrs

Over 2 hrs

Arrival Before Flight

Q13: How early did you arrive at the airport?Q12a: How did you get from your home to the airport?

19


7%

2%

4%

6%

6%

6%

7%

7%

8%

9%

10%

11%

11%

11%

11%18%

0% 10% 20%

Other

Entertaining children

Interacting w/ gate agent

Find departure gate info

Parking car

Finding bathroom

Gate relocation

Finding seat at gate

Healthy food options

Finding gate

Delayed flight

Waiting to board

Ability to hear gate announcements

Check in/ boarding pass

Getting to gate in time to board

Getting through security


Q15: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you once you arrived at the airport, prior to boarding your flight. 5pt Scale

Sources of Stress: At the AirportUpon arriving at the airport, getting through airport security is mentioned more often thanany other aspect of the airport experience for causing stress.


20


4%

2%

3%

4%

6%

6%

6%

7%

7%

7%

8%

8%

9%

9%

10%

16%

17%

1%

10%

16%

8%

11%

15%

9%

15%

20%

26%

25%

22%

26%

19%

31%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Other

Entertaining children

Interacting w/ gate agent

Find departure gate info

Parking car

Finding bathroom

Gate relocation

Finding seat at gate

Healthy food options

Finding gate

Delayed flight

Waiting to board

Ability to hear gate announcements

Check in/ boarding pass

Getting to gate in time to board

Getting through security

T2B Stressful(n=73)



Q15: Please rate the level of stress each of the following caused you once you arrived at the airport, prior to boarding your flight. 5pt Scale

Sources of Stress: At the AirportAmong those reporting the highest level of stress during their most recent air travel trip, getting throughsecurity tops the list, followed by checking in, a delayed flight and waiting to board.


*

*

**

**

*

*

*

*

* Significantly different at a 95% confidence level21


51%

30%

21%

30%

14%

5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

On-site(NET)

Deskattendant

Kiosk Web Email App


Q16: How did you check in and obtain your boarding pass?

Pre-Board Preparation• Since most Baby Boomers check luggage and do so at the counter, it is no surprise that

about half are also obtaining their boarding pass on-site at the airport.• Just over one-third (38%) are TSA Pre-Check approved to expedite security screening.

Obtaining Boarding Pass Checking Luggage

79%Checked

25% 72% 3%

Curbside Counter Gate

Base: Boomers with Checked Luggage (n=400)

Security Privileges

38%

Q18: Were you TSA Pre-Check on thislast flight, allowing you to side-step thestandard security screening process?

Q17a: Did you check any luggage at the airport?

Q17b: Where at the airport did you check your bags?

22



Q21: How did you keep up with the status of your flight one you were at the airport?

Pre-Board Behaviors• Airport screens are heavily used to monitor flight status.• Whether they go directly to the gate or not, Baby Boomers eventually arrive at their

gate and wait to board; as opposed to getting there just in time.

Monitoring Flight Status

16%

1%

1%

4%

5%

7%

9%

21%

66%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Did not monitor

Other

Called 800#

Phone call from airline

Email notifications

Website

Apps

Text notifications

Gate attendants

Airport screens

2%

4%

40%

46%

6%

48%

54%

0% 20% 40% 60%

Other

Got to gate just in time to board

But still waited to board

Did not go straight to gate (NET);Shopped/Ate First

Just in time to board

And waited to board

Went straight to gate (NET)

Getting to the Gate

<1%

Q19: After you passed through security, which of the following did you do?

23


64%

49%

28%32%

28%

6%11% 11%

1%

7%12%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Boughtitems(NET)

To-go food/drinks

Sundries Ate/Drank(NET)

At arestaurant

At a bar Shopped(NET)

At retailstore

Forelectronics

Visited alounge

Got amassage

Other

<1%

Base: Boomers who did not go straight to their gate after security (n=232)

Q20: What did you do within the airport prior to boarding your flight?

Airport Amenities UsedWhen passing time in the airport, Baby Boomers are most likely to purchase portable itemssuch as food, drinks, and sundries. Approximately one-third choose to sit down at arestaurant or bar.

Passing the Time in the Airport

24



Q27: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused you during your flight. 5pt Scale

Sources of Stress: The FlightDuring the flight, the lack of legroom tops the list of stressors for Baby Boomers.

5%

4%

4%

6%

9%

9%

9%

10%

14%

14%

16%

16%

23%

0% 10% 20% 30%

Other

Rude flight attendants


Temperature on plane

Flight delayed after boarding

Person next to me

Seat location

Loud/ rude passengers

Finding space for carry-on

Crying children

Reclined chair in front of me

Turbulence

Lack of legroom


25



Q27: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused you during your flight.

Sources of Stress: The FlightA lack of legroom appears to be the primary in-flight stress cause for Baby Boomersreporting a stressful air travel experience.

6%

2%

3%

5%

7%

9%

8%

9%

12%

13%

14%

15%

20%

3%

11%

8%

10%

22%

11%

19%

19%

25%

26%

24%

24%

38%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Other

Rude flight attendants


Temperature on plane

Flight delayed after boarding

Person next to me

Seat location

Loud/ rude passengers

Finding space for carry-on

Crying children

Reclined chair in front of me

Turbulence

Lack of legroom

T2B Stressful(n=73)



*


*

**

*

*

*

26



Q28: What activities did you partake in while on your flight to your destination?

In-Flight ActivitiesMost Baby Boomers occupy themselves on the plane without the aid of electronics.

Passing the Time on the Flight

Read 69% Talk 57%46% To companion

17% To stranger

Eat/Drink 54%

Watch 31%23% In-flight10% Personal

Listen 16%

Sleep 44%

Connect 13% Work 3%

Other = 4%Don’t remember = 1%

27



Q29: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused upon arrival at your destination. 5pt Scale

Sources of Stress: The Arrival CityWhile the level of stress at the arrival city is relatively low, 14% of Baby Boomers reportstress while waiting for their bags.

5%

5%

7%

8%

10%

10%

14%

0% 10% 20%

Other

Language barriers

Finding baggage claim

Deplaning

Finding transportation

Lost bags

Waiting for bags


28



Q29: Please rate the level of stress each of the following potential issues caused upon arrival at your destination.

Sources of Stress: The Arrival CityAmong those who reported a stressful air travel experience, it didn’t appear to ease upupon arriving at their destination, with many aspects of the arrival causing them stress.

3%

4%

5%

6%

8%

8%

12%

14%

9%

20%

20%

22%

19%

26%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Other

Language barriers

Finding baggage claim

Deplaning

Finding transportation

Lost bags

Waiting for bags

T2B Stressful(n=73)



*


*

*

*

*

29


Base: Boomers who checked bags (n=400)

Q30: Did you have any help in getting your bags?

Luggage & Transportation at Destination• The majority of Baby Boomers handle their own luggage.• One-third of Baby Boomers rely on friends or family to pick them up at their

destination airport.

Assistance with Luggage

64%3%

6%

29%

No assistanceOther assistancePorterCompanion

36%Had Assistance(NET)

5%

2%

2%

8%

11%

12%

13%

17%

31%

0% 20% 40%

Other

Uber/ Car service

Subway/ metro

Hotel shuttle

Car rental shuttle

Cab

Shuttle

On site car rental

Friend/ family

Transportation Leaving Airport


Q31: Leaving the airport, what was your primary means of transportation?

No Assistance

30


Detailed Findings:Suggestions for Improvement


At the Airport


Q35: Thinking back on your time in airports, prior to boarding your flight, what, if anything, could airports do differently or better to make it a more enjoyableexperience for you and your travel companions?

Airport Improvement Suggestions

2%

5%

10%

1%

2%

8%

11%

2%

3%

3%

5%

14%

4%

7%

14%

0% 10% 20%

Free Wi-Fi

Less expensive (food, drink)

Price (NET)

More prescreening

More/better security

Faster lines

Security (NET)

Improved disability assistance

Friendlier

More agents

Better/more TSA agents

Customer Service (NET)

Comfortable seating

More seating

Seating (NET)

Note: Only NETS of 10%+ reported

“A few more seats. There is neverenough for all people flying on one

flight especially to hear theannouncements if there are delays.”

“Having more securityagents available at busiest

times.”

“Offer food at a moreaffordable cost.”

Suggestions for improvements at the airports include more gate seating, faster securitylines, and less expensive food items.

“If the prices for basic goods were a littlecheaper at the airport. A bottle of water isalmost the same as the price of a bottle of

wine. Do something about it!”

32


On the Flight


Q36: Thinking back on your flight experience, this includes boarding, deplaning, and your time in-flight, what, if anything, could the airlines do differently or betterto make it a more enjoyable experience for you and your travel companions?

Flight Improvement Suggestions

2%

8%

10%

3%

5%

7%

13%

29%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Better food

Free food/drink

Food (NET)

Better overhead storage

More room (general)

Bigger/comfortable seats

More leg room

Comfort (NET)

Note: Only NETS of 10%+ reported

“More room between seats: front, back andsides. Too close to strangers. Provide fresher

air. Provide good snacks!”

“Less seats, moreroom.”

“More leg room, morespace for carry-ons (or at

least monitor those whosecarry on is too big).”

“Go back to supplying a lightsnack and a soda for free.”

Suggestions for improvements on the airlines focus on comfort, more specifically, betterseats with more room and some mentions of wanting more food options.

33


Personal Travel Tips


Q37: Thinking about what you have gotten good at when it comes to air travel, what are some of your own personal travel tips you can share with others to makeair travel less stressful and more enjoyable?

“Dress comfortably,bring a book, wash

your hands.”

“Pack less and get tothe airport early to

relax.”

“Bring an emptywater bottle and fill itup once past security.”

“Just use carry-onluggage if possible.”

“Check baggage andpay for extra leg

room.”

“Relax! If you forgetanything, you can replace

it at your destination.Have fun.”

“Get there early, pick seatin advance, try to get non-

stop flights.”

“Stay calm, it allworks out.”

34


Detailed Findings:Generational Differences


Base: Generational Leisure Air Traveler Respondents (n=949)

Q26a: Please rate your feelings about flying.

How Stressful Is Flying?The younger generations have higher levels of travel stress and nervous feelings aboutflying compared to Baby Boomers.According to the American Psychological Association, Millennials report more stress overallcompared to any other generation.(Source: Why Millennials Are So Stressed – And What To Do About It, Psychology Today, September 2015)

Fear Of FlyingOverall Stress Level

44% 47%61%

27%30%

25%

29% 23%14%

Millennials(n=223)

GenX(n=219)

BabyBoomers(n=507)

Stressful (T2B)

Neutral

Not Stressful(B2B)


Q9: Overall, how would you rate your most recent air travel experience?

**

*

42% 47%62%

20%22%

16%

38% 31% 23%

Millennials(n=223)

GenX(n=219)

BabyBoomers(n=507)

Nervous (T2B)

Neutral

Relaxed (B2B)

*

* *

* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level36



Q13: How early did you arrive at the airport?

Pre-Board Behaviors• Millennials tend to arrive at the airport with less time to spare, compared to Baby

Boomers, and go straight to their gate after passing security.

Arrival Before Flight

46%

54%

36%

64%

30%

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Did not gostraight to gate

Wentstraight to gate

Millennials (n=223)

GenX (n=219)

Baby Boomers (n=507)

Getting to the Gate

Q19: After you passed through security, which of the following did you do?

11%

23%

36%

30%

7%

26%

39%

28%

20%

31%

33%

16%

0% 20% 40%

1 hr or less

1.5 hrs

2 hrs

Over 2 hrs

Millennials (n=223)

GenX (n=219)

Baby Boomers (n=507)

**

*

*

*

*

*

* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level37


Pre-Board Preparations

51%

30%

21%

30%

14%

5%

58%

31%

27%25%

9% 8%

67%

37%

30%

15% 14%

5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

On-site (NET) Deskattendant

Kiosk Web Email App

Baby Boomers (n=507) GenX (n=219) Millennials (n=223)


Q16: How did you check in and obtain your boarding pass?

Obtaining Boarding Pass Checking Luggage

80%Checked

Q17a: Did you check any luggage at the airport?

Q17b: Where at the airport did you check your bags?

25%

72%

3%

25%

67%

8%

23%

66%

11%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Curbside At counter/Kiosk At gate

Baby Boomers (n=507) GenX (n=219) Millennials (n=223)

**

* Significant difference between generations at a 95% confidence level

*

* **

• Millennials are more likely to check in at a kiosk and less likely to do so via the web.• While there are no real differences between the generations regarding whether they

check luggage, the younger generations are more likely than Boomers to check at thegate.

38


Q33: Which of the following travel apps, if any, did you use during air travel?

Travel AppsMillennials use travel apps more than any other generation. Google tops their list offavorites while GenX and Boomers prefer airline specific apps.

Popular Apps(Among App Users)

19%

55%

10% 12% 10%6%

34%

40%

13%8% 8% 8%

56%

34%

13%9%

6% 5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

Airline specific Google FlightAware FlightStats Trip it: TripPlanner

Gate Guru

Millennials (n=139) GenX (n=105) Baby Boomers (n=172)

Millennials

62%

App Usage - % Yes

GenX

48%

Boomers

34%

Base: Millennials (n=223); GenX(n=219); Baby Boomers (n=507)

*

*

**

*


39



Q28: What activities did you partake in while on your flight to your destination?

In-Flight ActivitiesMillennials are more likely than Baby Boomers and GenXers to stay entertained onthe flight with electronics and connectivity.

Passing the Time on the Flight

47%41% 43%

39%

54%

36%30%

3%

45%42% 42% 40%

37%34%

13%6%

69%

54%57%

44%

31%

16%13%

3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Read Eat/Drink Talk Sleep Watch Listen Connect Work

Millennials (n=223) GenX (n=219) Baby Boomers (n=507)

*

* **

* **

*


40


Other Generational Differences

Millennials GenX Baby BoomersBase: 223 219 507

When they travel…

Spring 26% 34% 38% *

Summer 30% * 20% 17%

Fall 9% 14% 21% *

Winter/Holiday 35% * 32% * 24%

Where they go…

Domestic 71% 80% * 78% *

International 29% * 20% 22%

Who travels solo…

Took trip alone 12% 17% 25% *

How they get to airport…

Own car 36% 48% * 46% *

Friend/family 44% * 33% 36%

Cab 4% 9% * 7%

Uber/Car service 11% * 4% 3%

Other 6% 6% 7%

Who flies through security…

TSA Pre-Check (% yes) 31% * 23% 37% *

Who is connected…

WiFi usage in airport (free) 72% * 65% * 56%

WiFi usage in airport (paid) 6% * 3% 1%

Who needs a charge…

Needed to power device in airport 41% * 35% * 19%


41


Appendix


Methodology• A 15-minute online survey was conducted

among males and females, 18+, who havetraveled by air for a leisure trip in the pastyear.

• The survey was in field from April 26 – May10, 2016.

• A total of n=1,216 surveys were completed;final counts are detailed in the table to theright.

• Final data has been weighted to U.S.Census, by generation, for analysis.

• The analysis focuses on the Air Travelexperiences of Baby Boomers (n=507)

Members Non-Members

Base 487 729

Gender

Male 255 346

Female 232 383

Age

Millennial 0 223

GenX 23 196

Baby Boomer 301 206

Other 163 104

Ethnicity

Caucasian/Other 310 407

African American 83 134

Hispanic 75 109

Asian 19 79

Region

Northeast 86 131

Midwest 97 152

South 190 285

West 114 161

43

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Research TeamThis research was designed and executed by 50+ Research:

In partnership with:

AARP Research, 50+ Research

Vicki Gelfeld, Research Advisor [email protected]

Patty David, Sr Research Advisor/Team Lead [email protected]

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Documents

AARP Travel - Air Travel by Generations Report · Q5: When did you take this most recent flight? Air Travel Overview • More than half (58%) of Baby Boomers have traveled by air