The air fare search platform’s “Horizons – emerging traveller behaviour” survey polled people across eight countries, including the UK, and found low pricing was the main incentive encouraging people to book, closely followed by a demand for greater flexibility.
Nearly six in 10 respondents (58%) said they wanted more flexible ticket options, with demand for new travel insurance product covering Covid-19 also proving to be strong .
The survey polled 3,000 UK consumers, who ranked price as their most important consideration, followed by personalised recommendations, inspirational imagery and exclusive offers. They ranked detailed testimonials as their least important consideration.
Skyscanner’s research also explored the world’s top unserved routes, and broadly found a mix of long-haul leisure and VFR options in greatest demand. Two routes from Manchester, Karachi and Bali, featured in the top 10 unserved routes, with the top 10 also featuring four from Warsaw’s Chopin airport.
Unserved routes are itineraries that are currently only possible via one or two-stops.
Manchester also topped the list of unserved origin airports, highlighting high demand for new non-stop route. Heathrow also made the top 10, along with several other hub airports; Skyscanner said this showed demand for new point-to-point routes currently not being served.
Hugh Aitken, Skyscanner vice-president flights, said: “Our findings reveal that for the majority of travellers, low price offers provide the biggest incentive to book. However, other factors and outcomes from the past 18 months are also top of mind. For example, greater ticket flexibility and Covid-19 travel insurance. And there is now a focus on the booking experience, in particular trust and service.
“When it comes to flight search, we see increasing demand for long-haul leisure and VFR destinations, some of which are only currently possible with indirect itineraries. Within this demand, there may be opportunity – especially within the VFR segment – as travellers look to reconnect with family after prolonged periods apart and corporate travel takes longer to bounce back.
“Overall, air travel in 2022 will look very different to 2021 as both travellers and travel providers continue to adapt to a new reality and the world gradually re-opens. But I’m confident that one aspect will remain the same – and that is people’s desire to travel.”
