HNTB's 2018 Aviation Survey Results Find Ride-Sharing Usage Tripled

Whether air travel is for business or pleasure, before ever boarding an airplane, the journey begins with the trip to the airport. While multiple travel options are available in many parts of the country, almost seven in 10 (68 percent) American air travelers still prefer to begin their trip in a personal vehicle, either their own or that of a friend or family member, for transportation to and from the airport, according to a new HNTB Corporation America THINKS national public opinion survey.

The HNTB survey, “Airport Terminals-2018” found that among Americans who prefer using private vehicles, 39 percent opt for a drop-off from a friend or family member or use their own personal vehicle (29 percent). Taxis, limousines and shuttles are favored by 11 percent of Americans, and ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft are favored by 10 percent. Six percent of Americans choose public transportation for travel to airports, and five percent would make the trip with rental cars.

“Despite the continuing preference to use a personal vehicle for travel to and from airports, we’ve identified an important shift just within the past year – an emerging preference to use ride-sharing services. Airport operators should take note of this trend and potential impacts it may have for them, both short and long term,” said Laddie Irion, HNTB’s national aviation sector market leader and senior vice president.

The HNTB survey found that while the use of ride-sharing services is relatively low compared to other available alternatives, it is increasing. Almost four in 10 (37 percent) responding air travelers have used ride sharing to get to and from airports. Among this group, 42 percent have used it within the past year, a notable increase of three times versus 14 percent in the past one to three years.

“This rapidly growing inclination to use ride-sharing services for travel to and from airports is important on many levels, including the potential of increased vehicular congestion at airports as well as impacts it will have for traditional airport revenue sources,” said Irion. “One direct revenue example could result from people who use ride-sharing instead of driving themselves and no longer needing parking on-site at airports.”

Experience counts

Almost nine in 10 (89 percent) survey respondents rated the quality of their travel experiences over the past three years as either the same (66 percent) or improved (23 percent). However, among those who reported improved travel experiences (26 percent) are people who have traveled within the past year versus 13 percent among those who have flown in the past one to three years.

Nearly eight in 10 (79 percent) Americans agree airports are efficiently designed in terms of parking, pick-up/drop-off curbs, passenger check-in, security checkpoints, ground transportation within the airport campus, and gate-to-gate proximity.

Yet, more than six in 10 (63 percent) find airport terminals to be stressful environments with waiting in lines cited by 57 percent as the most frustrating aspect of the airport terminal experience, a notable increase from 34 percent reported from another HNTB survey conducted in 2017. Additionally, the amount of time spent waiting in lines was identified by almost nine in 10 (89 percent) respondents as the most needed improvement for airport terminals.

“As airports across the nation continue to update and modernize the design of terminals and other ground-side facilities, people recognize and appreciate the improvements but also indicate an opportunity to improve long lines,” said Irion. “Airport operators’ focus on safe, efficient movement of travelers must be balanced with changes in how passengers use ground transportation to and from airports as well as their expectations for a pleasant experience inside the terminal before boarding an aircraft.”

Priorities and needed improvements

Nine in 10 Americans believe security is the top priority for airports. Other priorities they identified include the overall customer service experience within the terminal (81 percent), improved on-site parking and access to terminals (70 percent), and improved ground transportation to and from airports (67 percent).

Improvements air travelers want to see include less time waiting in lines (89 percent), easier movement within and among airport terminals (74 percent), better access to terminals from on-site parking, (69 percent), improved on-site parking at airports (69 percent), better ground transportation to and from airports (68 percent), improved information and signage within airport terminals (67 percent), accommodations for people with disabilities (63 percent), and increased amenities available within terminals (50 percent).