How Airlines Can Use Big Data To Make Passengers Fly Happy Again

Seat 24A.

It’s bad enough that your row will be served dinner last and now your seat mate in 24B steps on your foot every 5 minutes to go to the loo! Now 24C keeps reaching over to show you unauthorized pictures of the cargo hold they took. Cripes! But wait, there’s that good-looking passenger who smiled at you in the airport, sitting waaaay over there. Hey Flight Attendant?! I need to change my seat...now!

It’s possible with today’s technology.

Airlines have done nothing to improve the passenger flight experience in recent memory except tack on pricey upgrades, like getting a bigger (i.e. regular-sized) seat or enhanced wi-fi (i.e. wi-fi that works at 50,000 ft). But the true joy of flying is the entire experience of greeting, meeting, and seating - not just spotty upgrades.

With Big Data, airlines can match compatible passengers and create a truly elevated flying experience.

Wouldn’t you rather pay to sit next to agreeable people than for a slightly bigger seat that is still too close to or too far from the restroom?

Executing my rather brilliant proposal is extremely simple. During the booking process, airline apps and websites could simply add the option "Personality Preference" and let customers pick categories like “Social”, “Quiet” or “Nervous Flyer” (easy, online personality assessments such as Myers-Briggs already use similar sentient technology to deliver highly accurate results). The data entered by customers would then be analyzed by advanced algorithms and suggest Optional Ideal Seatmates for a small Fee.

Passenger happiness would increase knowing that they will be guaranteed a seat with people who share their flying style whether it is pestering flight attendants for more amenities or sitting quietly strapped in for the duration. Passengers would likely post their experiences on social media, increasing brand recognition for the airline and promoting the service.

Passenger privacy is not an issue because you can see everyone who is boarding anyway (plus smartphone cameras).

What’s the downside? Continuing the service we have now, which means paying for the privilege of a faster travel experience seated next to an incompatible, flying sourpuss. That’s why everyone rushes to get off the plane when it lands. No one rushes to get off of a party boat in the Bahamas (I know this for a fact!) although most of the cruisers are strangers. Why? Because they’re with like-minded company the whole time.

Let’s think it over. Cheap, reliable technology that makes airline passengers much happier and makes airlines an honest profit (for a change). You, the Passenger, make a new friend for life in Seat 36B by making a meaningful upgrade.

Best of all, technology is put to a more intelligent use than making another flat-screen to watch movies you've already seen.

So whaddya say? Personality Upgrade, please!