Gamification is transforming industries everywhere, and airlines are jumping on board! By turning parts of the travel experience into a game, flying becomes more exciting and less of a chore. The aviation world is no stranger to using technology for innovation, safety, and better passenger experiences. Gamification is the latest tech trend set to revolutionize how airlines, airports, and other aviation players engage with customers, employees, and partners. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of gamification in air travel, share some examples, and discuss the opportunities it brings.
What is Gamification in the Airline Industry Customer Experience?
Gamification in the airline industry makes flying more engaging and personal. Airlines use data to create games that match each passenger’s preferences. Think mileage challenges and exclusive rewards – these boost loyalty and smart booking. In-flight activities, like games of chance for seat upgrades, make the travel experience more enjoyable and satisfying. Adding fun challenges and digital rewards for airline customers to loyalty programs makes brand interactions more enjoyable. This will lead to higher engagement and encourage customer loyalty.
Airline Gamification Examples
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand’s Airpoints program offers games and competitions where passengers can earn points in exciting ways, making the loyalty program more engaging. Campaigns that let members play games to win extra points or prizes keep them actively involved with the program.
Emirates
With the My Emirates Pass, a boarding pass doubles as a discount card. Passengers can use it at various places and collect rewards, adding value to their travel experience. Using the boarding pass as a discount card for restaurants, shops, and attractions enhances its value beyond just being a travel document.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa’s Miles & More program includes challenges and competitions to keep passengers engaged and encourage them to earn more miles. Challenges like flying a certain number of miles within a set period to earn bonus miles add a layer of excitement to the travel experience, making the journey even more rewarding.
How Does Gamification Increase Customer Engagement?
People love rewards. Offer a digital scratch card game where passengers can win points or discounts, and watch how quickly they get involved. It’s exciting and gives them a reason to engage more with the airline.
Think about it: with gamification, every interaction becomes a chance to win something. Checking in online? Spin a wheel for a chance at an upgrade. Waiting at the gate? Play a game and earn extra points! These small rewards keep passengers engaged and are fantastic for enhancing the airline customer experience.
Loyalty programs can sometimes feel mundane, but gamification has the power to change that. Game-based loyalty programs for airlines give travelers something to strive for. Passengers could earn badges for visiting three new destinations or booking trips during off-peak season to unlock special perks.
Airlines can also ramp up their social media game with gamified challenges. Encourage passengers to share their travel photos or stories with a unique hashtag, and offer prizes like free flights or upgrades for the best posts. These activities don’t just keep customers engaged; they help create a lively and connected community of travelers.
How Can Airlines Improve Their Customer Experience With Gamification?
Digital Rewards for Airline Customers
Interactive promotions are another powerful tool. During the booking process, airlines could inject a bit of luck into the travel experience by offering a digital game of chance like BeeLiked’s grabber to win an exciting prize on their next flight.
These promotions can be versatile too. How about integrating these games into the airport experience? Passengers who achieve a certain score in a short quiz or activity can earn the chance to unlock rewards like an in-flight snack or drink. An airline app might feature these mini-games that passengers can play during the flight and even compete with others onboard.
Exclusive Games
Providing exclusive games or content to loyal members can make them feel special. This can be easily achieved through the airline’s app or website, creating unique experiences for members. Loyalty members can access special games where they can win unique prizes, adding value to their membership and encouraging ongoing engagement.
Personal Challenges
Enhancing airline customer experience with passenger challenges where they can unlock exciting rewards is excellent for boosting engagement. For example, taking a certain number of flights in a month could lead to complimentary lounge access. Personalizing these challenges makes them even more exciting. Sending notifications about personalized challenges, like earning bonus miles for trying out new flight routes, turns the loyalty program into something dynamic and far from routine.
Benefits of Gamification for the Airline Industry Customer Experience
Enhancing Air Travel Through Gamification
Travelling can be stressful for many people. Gamified travel experiences can make the journey much more enjoyable. It offers a great distraction for people who may be afraid of flying and makes them feel appreciated when they earn rewards.
Boosting Passenger Engagement
Interactive customer engagement strategies are a great way to boost bookings and get them to use extra services. Engaged passengers are more likely to book flights, buy upgrades, and enjoy other airline perks. They might join loyalty programs, share their positive experiences on social media, and participate in surveys or feedback sessions. They could also opt for premium lounge access, buy in-flight entertainment packages, and join exclusive in-flight events or contests. Plus, they might refer friends and family to the airline, spreading the word and boosting the brand.
Collecting Valuable Data
Airlines can gather valuable data on passenger preferences to personalize marketing and improve services. This data reveals what passengers like helping airlines tailor their offerings more effectively. With BeeLiked’s API, companies can control when and who enters gamified promotions. By encoding user data in InviteLink, you can personalize the experience, collect valuable user data, and customize marketing strategies to enhance customer interaction.
Building Customer Loyalty
Game-based loyalty programs for airlines are an excellent way to keep customers returning. When passengers enjoy these gamified experiences, they’re more likely to stick with the airline. A well-designed loyalty program can encourage passengers to keep flying with the same airline, improving customer retention.
Tips for Airlines
- Understand Your Passengers: Knowing what your passengers enjoy is essential. Conduct surveys and gather feedback to find out which games they find most engaging.
- Define Your Objectives: Having clear goals for your gamification strategies, like boosting engagement or enhancing the booking process, is vital to steer your efforts effectively.
- Keep It Simple: The best games are often the simplest. Avoid making your gamification campaign too complex so all passengers can easily participate.
- Offer Valuable Rewards: Rewards that passengers appreciate, like discounts, extra miles, or upgrades, can significantly enhance the success of your gamification initiatives.
- Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly monitor the performance of your games and collect feedback to make improvements and keep passengers interested.
Enhance Your Airline Industry Customer Experience With BeeLiked
Gamification is an effective strategy for enhancing airline customer experiences. By making interactions more engaging and enjoyable, airlines can foster a greater sense of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Using games of chance, interactive promotions, and gamified loyalty programs are key strategies airlines can adopt. As airlines continue to explore and refine these strategies, they will discover innovative ways to make flying an enjoyable part of the journey, not just a means of getting from point A to point B.
Incorporating gamification in air travel can forge deeper connections and lasting loyalty with passengers. This dynamic approach holds the potential to redefine the travel experience and strengthen relationships between airlines and passengers. Offering rewards and achievements encourages customers to engage more with the airline’s services, enhancing their overall travel experience. This strategy also benefits airlines by reducing complaints and increasing customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
Explore how BeeLiked can enhance your airline customer engagement strategies through gamification. Reach out to us today!
