Airline technology: The technologies that can help creating a competitive advantage for companies.(With in text reference)

Essay by barbieaixUniversity, Bachelor'sA-, January 2007

download word file, 5 pages 5.0

The use of cell phones on planes, access to the internet, 23 inch LCD screens, personal music and video iPod entertainment...the airline industry is definitely using technology to its advantage to provide customer satisfaction.

For me, five years ago, air travel was synonymous with boredom and fatigue. I considered it to be a tedious task. I disliked spending long hours on a single plane journey.

But today, things have drastically changed. Changing times and cut throat competition have made airlines offer better services and they are using technology to create a brand identity (Taneja, 2003).

Since Connexion, a network that allows passengers to use the internet and watch TV, was introduced by Boeing in 2000, in-flight entertainment has been different ("Surfing", 2000). Phil Condit, Chairman and Chief Executive of Boeing, wants them to be the leader inthe new mobile economy. He feels that, "The airplane will begin to look like your home or office and the experience of travel will change" ("Surfing", 2000).

This has indeed been in effect over the last few years. Connexion by Boeing is now available in over 70 airlines including Lufthansa Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Singapore Airlines ("Connexion", 2005).

Other companies are also contributing in accelerating the digital revolution. "TiVo", a pioneer in home entertainment, has joined hands with Intel and made it possible for people to travel with their favourite TV shows by introducing a new feature TiVo to Go ("TiVo", 2005).

Travellers can easily transfer TV shows from their TiVo sets (a box that

automatically finds and digitally records tv programs) to portable media centers. This feature provides customers with the flexibility and control of choosing what they want to watch ("Tune In", 2005).

Companies like "Inmotion Pictures" are offering a brand new service: DVD player and movie rentals at airports. They are...