Tired of chaotic airports and poor snacks? AI-powered flights are on the way – personalized meals, no delays, and perfect WiFi.
You download the airline’s app, but it has a bug. Check-in is only available during a narrow window, and they’ll fine you if you take even one wrong step.
You open the in-flight menu: Pringles or ham and glue between two slices of bread. (Couldn’t we get something more appetizing?)
There’s no WiFi, the atmosphere is sterile, and they won’t let you switch seats because – safety first.
You land, only to discover your luggage has vanished into the void – perhaps because you didn’t print the correct label at self-check-in.
Then there’s flight delay hell: you get through security, and the board says “new departure time to be announced soon.” Three hours later, it just says “boarding,” leaving you with a complete loss of composure.
How could this be fixed?
Goodbye, flight nightmares
Air Baltic recently announced that it’s incorporating Elon Musk’s Starlink, offering high-quality, uninterrupted connectivity for passengers to stream, work remotely, and game – all without needing to log in.
But the next frontier will be integrating an AI assistant into your journey.
During boarding, AI could customize the travel experience by analyzing your past habits. If you loved that microwaved lasagna on your last flight back from Italy, the system will remember.
Airlines like Delta and Emirates are already tailoring services to the individual. In-flight entertainment could be personalized based on your preferences – loved The Joker (perfect for the nervous traveller) or superhero movies? AI knows.
AI-powered check-in is already being used by Lufthansa, Emirates, and British Airways. It could resolve those pesky issues like lost luggage retrieval, language barriers at the airport, rebookings, cancellations, and, most crucially, provide real-time flight updates.
From bumpy to breezy
Airport and airline customer service often get a bad rap for being unsupportive, especially when dealing with the most stressed-out customer base: the frazzled airline traveler.
Chatbots like Kris, used by Singapore Airlines, might just be the best at helping nervous flyers, it even knows what comfort food you’d prefer. Mac and cheese, anyone?
AI could also ease the burden on cabin crew. It could detect when crew members are fatigued and help “read the room” to gauge passengers’ moods. This would ensure timely offers of water, personalized meal times, and no more annoying taps on your shoulder to sell scratchcards.
When it comes to landing procedures, AI could more accurately predict turbulence patterns, allowing pilots to make smarter decisions and improve the final moments of the flight.
After landing, AI could remember your past transport preferences. Forget worrying about having coins for the bus or not knowing whether your card is compatible – it would plan your route. And if you’re a habitual Uber rider, it’ll even know what kind of ride you prefer.
While smooth WiFi, thanks to Starlink, might be a great step, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how far we can go.
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