A Connected Future Travel Experience
The lead-up to Christmas in Singapore is an intriguingly, disorienting experience. With temperatures between 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, the contrast between the humid outdoors and the air-conditioned interiors is striking. Add to this the festive displays of Christmas trees and baubles, and it’s hard to reconcile the warmth with the traditional Northern Hemisphere imagery of snow and “Jack Frost nipping at your nose.”
Attending a major conference in Asia highlighted just how forward-thinking and technologically advanced many Asian countries are compared to much of Europe. The event, exceptionally well-attended, provided a glimpse into the future of travel—a much more connected and seamless experience both onboard and at airports.
Airlines and airports are collaborating intensely to ensure smoother journeys for passengers, incorporating cutting-edge technologies that are set to redefine travel over the next two decades. For instance, autonomous wheelchairs are being developed to escort passengers from the terminal entrance to their departure gates via accessible, pre-approved routes. Meanwhile, immigration and border control processes are moving toward full automation through online visa pre-approval, biometric ID systems, and single-use data tokens that securely store ticketing and passport information on passengers’ smartphones. While some of us may nostalgically miss the days of the classic passport, ticket, and travel wallet, the future is exciting.
A lighter but equally impactful innovation in the travel experience is the ubiquity of free onboard Wi-Fi. Just as McDonald’s saw a threefold increase in coffee sales after offering free Wi-Fi in its restaurants, airlines aim to deliver complimentary high-speed connectivity to garner customer loyalty and of course revenue.
Carriers like Singapore Airlines and American Airlines already offer this service, along with a host of other carriers on their continental and transcontinental flights. Remarkably, much of this connectivity is powered by Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. With over 6,000 satellites orbiting Earth, Starlink has rapidly become a dominant player, leaving legacy providers such as Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Panasonic scrambling to keep up.
The availability of free, high-bandwidth Wi-Fi (some airlines offer speeds of 25-30 Mbps) opens up opportunities for passengers to stream content using their personal subscriptions. However, research reveals that many passengers still prefer traditional seat-back entertainment systems. These systems offer more than just movies; they provide access to features like flight maps, external cameras, and food and beverage ordering systems. Much like our multi-screen habits at home—watching sport on a 55″ TV while checking our phones and listening to radio commentary—modern travel demands a similarly integrated experience.
For those fortunate enough to travel in Business or First class, Lufthansa is introducing Meta Oculus VR headsets to enhance the in-flight experience. Although these headsets are currently bulky and somewhat uncomfortable, they offer remarkable, immersive entertainment. Features include a “view-through” mode that allows users to watch films while maintaining peripheral awareness for meal or drink service. Alternatively, passengers can simulate sitting in a cinema to enjoy their chosen content. While hardware improvements are needed to make VR more practical for in-flight use, it’s easy to see this technology becoming a differentiator for some airlines.
The future of travel is undeniably exciting. As technology continues to evolve, the vision of a fully connected, seamless journey is coming into focus. From automated processes and high-speed connectivity to immersive in-flight experiences, the next two decades promise to transform how we travel, making it more convenient, engaging, and enjoyable than ever before.
Words by James Acton