Travel Planning: Searching for and Booking Airline Seats on the Internet

Abstract

Abstract This article is based on a survey of 374 airline passengers sampled at an airport. We examine how travelers search for and then buy airline seats, determine which distribution channel dominates, calculate what percentages of online searches convert to actual bookings on the same website, and report why people switch. We also examine which travelers book, and then rebook airline seats, and why. We then measure the differences in how travelers view several Internet and website issues, the differences between Internet users and nonusers, between business and pleasure travelers, and between men and women. We update the most important reasons for airline choice, in an era when online bookings predominate. Finally, we report our findings (some counterintuitive) and their implications for airlines and third-party websites (online travel agents).