FLIGHT DELAYED AND NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD: HOW SHARED-USE LOUNGES ARE CHANGING THE WAY CONSUMERS INTERACT WITH AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS

摘要

WITH GLOBAL retail spending at airports expected to reach $58.4 billion by 2022, up from $40 billion in 2017, it's obvious that both airports and airline operators want to utilize the available space to its fullest. Numerous airports are making room for additional retail outlets and airlines are more than happy to be in the company of this growing trend. Premium brands have quickly taken notice and have already begun their aggressive push to stake a claim. This was particularly apparent after cosmetics powerhouse Estee Lauder announced that in 2018 it had generated more revenue at airports globally than at U.S. department stores. Some retail companies are also assembling pop-up experiences that range from food and fashion to wellness and gadgets - all with the goal of capitalizing on passengers' time. Not all travelers want to indulge exclusively in retail experiences during their airport visits, however. Demand for airport lounge space continues to increase due to the rise of high-end lounge offerings, such as those offered by Priority Pass, a membership available for purchase and through some premium credit cards. As more travelers seek airport lounge access, airports around the world are realizing that travelers' increasing demands must be met if they want to be the first choice for fliers.