Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Older Japanese, German, Brazilian and US Air Travelers---the BEST AGE study

摘要

Increases in air travel, disposable income, and median age around the world suggest that the needs of theolder traveler will have an increasing impact on the air travel system. Embraer, Boeing and GMA Research,Inc. conducted focus groups, fly-along ethnographic observations and on-line surveys with older airtravelers in Japan, Germany, Brazil and the United States. Difficulties walking long distances, accessingoverhead bins, operating automated check-in kiosks and in-flight entertainment systems, and entering andexiting seats were common themes. The relatively limited space and perceived sanitary conditions withinthe lavatories also posed limitations for many older travelers. However, a striking number of oldertravelers report a desire to continue travelling as often or more frequently in the future.