Providing the best service to your passengers is key for building a successful business. Happy passengers are more likely to use your airline over one of your competitors when they travel in the future, and there’s a higher possibility that they will recommend your brand to their friends and family.
Success as an airline business also requires strong marketing, clean and good-quality facilities, and effective budgeting. Below, we have covered each of these essential aspects of success in more detailed, alongside more top tips for keeping your aircraft passengers happy.
Hire Great Stewards and Stewardesses
Hiring a great team of aircraft staff is vital for success. Your stewards and stewardesses are at the forefront of your business, and it’s their appearance and behavior that your passengers will remember the most when they fly with you.
Undergo a thorough recruitment and hiring process to find friendly and professional individuals to build a great team of aircraft employees. After hiring your staff members, provide training so they know how to interact with your aircraft passengers to provide top-notch customer service.
Ensure that all of your aircraft staff are aware of emergency procedures so they can act quickly and calmly in difficult situations. Calm and collected staff will keep your customers relaxed and convey the professionalism of your company in emergencies.
Provide airline stewardess uniforms that create a cohesive and professional appearance among your staff. Implement a uniform code that includes details about appropriate hairstyles and makeup to ensure your employees look smart in every aspect of their appearance.
Ensure Adequate Pre-Flight Preparation
The work you do on the ground is just as important as the work you do while your passengers are up in the air. Adequate pre-flight preparation ensures that your aircraft vehicles are safe and fully functional before they leave the ground. It also enables you to improve aircraft performance for a great customer experience and reduced overhead costs.
Train your staff to be aware of common aircraft issues and report them appropriately. Ensure they know what to check inside the plane and how to check it thoroughly so they can ensure the aircraft is safe to operate before every flight.
Part of your pre-flight processes should include seamless booking and checking-in processes. Ensure your booking system is easy to use, quick to load, and offers various seating options or additional flight features. The checking-in process should be simple and speedy so your customers have a great start to their journeys.
Provide Complementary Food and Drink
To elevate your business further, consider providing complimentary meals and drinks to your passengers. Offering food and drinks at no cost can boost customer satisfaction. It shows that you care and value your customers and want them to have the best possible experience on your flights.
Work with a catering company to provide delicious and nutritious meals. Offer a range of options, including meat-based, meat-free, vegan, halal, and gluten-free choices to ensure inclusivity.
Provide a variety of different drinks during your flights, including bottled water, soft drinks, fruit juice, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, to keep your passengers hydrated.
Offer In-Flight Amenities
Keep your passengers entertained with various amenities, including noise-canceling headphones and small flat-screen monitors on each seat.
Although providing TVs and headphones comes at a significant upfront cost, especially if your aircraft vehicles carry hundreds of passengers, they can offer a huge return on investment (ROI). Entertained customers will be more likely to book a flight with your airline in the future when travelling, increasing your customer retention and sales.
Consider offering blankets and pillows for your passengers during longer flights so they can be as comfortable as possible, or try to nap while they’re traveling.
Keep Your Aircraft Vehicles Clean
It’s essential that you keep your aircraft vehicles clean and tidy. You can either train your stewards and stewardesses to clean your planes in between flights or hire a team of cleaners from an external company to complete this hefty task.
Ensure each aircraft is cleaned before your passengers board the plane, including the floors, windows, seats, tray tables, and toilets. At the end of each flight, make sure any rubbish is removed and the seats and tray tables are reset and ready for the next take-off. A presentable aircraft will set a great first impression and strengthen your reputation as a reliable brand.
