With most aircraft currently not in the sky, but languishing on a piece of tarmac somewhere, global travel is largely on hold.
The travel industry, just like its sister hospitality is mostly mothballed until further notice.
As we continue to consider hospitality reopening, airline hospitality could be one of the last sectors of hospitality to reopen, if at all.
Social distancing on an aircraft is the problem.
Social distancing in many smaller aircraft would be all but impossible due simply to the space within them.
In larger aircraft like a 747 it would be possible, but only by using maybe 25% of the seats.
A reconfigured aircraft seating plan that creates the right level of social distancing would seem to be needed. To maximise passengers (revenues) as part of that plan, movement during the flight would need to be minimal.
Will airlines exit hospitality – revenue will drive design
The process and procedures of serving food and drink would provide the seating planner with a number of potential red lines.
The financial considerations would always favour extra seats ahead of space to move as seat revenue will exceed food and drink revenue.
So, we are looking at airline travel in the future that would exclude all but the most basic of hospitality services. The premium that would need to be charged would seem to be prohibitive.
Will airlines exit hospitality – some already have
Currently many airlines that are still in the air, have stopped all food and drink services.
Most also have removed all newspapers and magazines as well as ensuring face masks are worn by all passengers.
Air travel in the future, for all but the privileged few who travel first class, could be without the hospitality we have become accustomed to.
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