New research by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) predicts that the ‘last-minute’ generation in APAC will make more holiday in-flight purchases.

Generation Z (Gen Z) are last-minute spenders when planning trips, presenting an opportunity for airlines to revolutionize inflight e-commerce and take revenue from elsewhere in the customer journey. New research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), commissioned by Inmarsat Aviation, suggests that by 2028, Gen Z passengers in Asia Pacific will spend an average of US$30 on travel purchases while on their flight.

The “last-minute generation” is forecast to become the largest group of airline flyers globally within the next decade, with 1.2 billion flying each year by 2028. More than a third (37%) of this global cohort will be made up of APAC passengers. The LSE estimates that globally, this consumer group currently spends a collective US$3.6 billion in items and services in the weeks leading up to a trip and upon arrival at their destination.

The findings also show that APAC Gen Z passengers are the least ‘cost-sensitive’ traveller group globally, and by 2028 are predicted to spend US$4 more per passenger through infight e-commerce than the global Gen Z average of $26. The findings underscore a significant opportunity for airlines in the region to shift spending onboard and take a proportion of the revenue with an e-commerce model that supports the ‘last-minute’ approach of today’s ‘digital-first’ passengers.

How the study was conducted

The research analyzed purchasing decisions made during three key phases of the customer journey before travel: more than a week before; in the days before; and upon arrival. It finds that Gen Z is the most likely of all generations globally to delay buying products and services for their trip until the days before they fly.

While currently only one in 10 passengers make an inflight duty-free purchase when on a trip, there is a significant opportunity for airlines to monetize the growing trend for last-minute spending. According to the LSE, 70% of Millennials and Gen Z passengers indicate that they would delay arrangements for their trip until their flight if they knew that a reliable Wi-Fi connection would be available, and the necessary delivery infrastructure was in place.

Dr Alexander Grous (B. Ec, MBA, M.Com, MA, PhD.), Department of Media and Communications (LSE) and author of the research, said: “Having grown up in a digital world with connectivity at their fingertips, more often than not, Gen Z make last minute decisions when it comes to travel planning and preparation. This behavioral shift presents an exciting opportunity for airlines to strike innovative partnerships with global and local retailers that extend the possibilities of inflight spending.”

Philip Balaam, President, Inmarsat Aviation said: “If passengers reject traditional purchase channels in favour of in-flight spending to the extent that this suggests in the next decade, the implications for airlines and retailers would be huge. We may be on the verge of a habitual shift in travel spending, much like the movement from offline to online purchasing witnessed on the ground in the last decade. In APAC, the opportunity is even greater—with every Gen Z passenger in the region predicted to spend US$4 more on inflight holiday purchases than the rest of their generation each time they fly, there is a huge potential new revenue stream up for grabs.”

Dominic Walters, Vice President, Marketing Communications and Strategy, Inmarsat Aviation said: “Developing a connected infrastructure built for inflight spending will be a win-win for both airlines and passengers, bringing airlines the chance to take a slice of revenue currently spent elsewhere in the customer journey, and saving passengers valuable time before and after their flight. With airlines all over the world already ramping up their connectivity offerings, and a growing trend for last-minute spending in younger passenger groups, this is a revolution waiting to happen.”

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