UAE travellers prioritising safety records says Turkish Airlines survey

A 'Future of Air Travel' survey carried out by Turkish Airlines (TRK) on a cross-section of travellers flying different carriers from the UAE has revealed that an overwhelming majority of passengers – 94% - from the Emirates say they check an airline's safety record to gauge its reputation when booking tickets.
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Survey respondents were questioned on various topics, including cabin and washroom cleanliness, friendly and attentive staff, wider seat space, catering on board, increased sense of security and variety of welcome drinks.   

Almost two-thirds – 65% - of those surveyed said they would prefer more comfortable seats, while 94% said they would be satisfied by wider seats in economy class. 

Emre Ismailoglu, TRK’s general manager, Dubai and Northern Emirates, Turkish Airlines, said the survey results were key indicators of where the bar needs to be raised within the aviation sector.

Catering emerged as a major concern for most UAE travellers who would prefer a wider variety of menu options. Over 84% said they would like to choose from several options rather than receive  standard fare. 

The findings also provided insights on flight preferences of UAE passengers. Some 55% said they took long-haul flights, 44% bookedd medium-haul flights and around 20% booked short haul flights.   The majority of passengers – 88% - booked their flights themselves and online and of those, 61% use online comparison fare sites. Again a majority – 88% - said that a screen panel in the seat back is a priority for them.