9 Surprising Things Airlines Know About You
1. Where You’re From
When you reserve a seat with an airline, you’re sharing more than just your travel plans. Your home address, usually keyed in during the online booking process, is part of the information collected by airlines. Now, you might wonder what happens with those details.
While airlines reassure us that they aren’t in the business of selling personal data to random businesses, they do acknowledge that they “share” it with their partners. This exchange of information helps airlines cater their marketing and provide offers that might actually be of interest to you.
2. Economic Status
When you’re settling into your seat, it’s fascinating to realize that airlines use your digital footprint to tailor the ticket prices just for you. The travel world buzzes with talk about how companies peg ticket costs to personal details like how much cash you’ve got in the bank, your age, or even how often you soar the skies with them.
3. Your Flight History
When flying nowadays, especially for those enrolled in frequent flyer programs, attendants are equipped with an application giving them insight into your recent travels. The good and the not-so-good aspects of your last five flights are neatly documented.
If, for example, there was mistreatment or delays during your last flight, the crew is alerted to ensure your current trip feels extra special. Whether it’s making up for past inconveniences or continuing a streak of excellent service, they are on top of your flight details, aiming for a consistently positive journey sky-high.
4. Your Birthday
When your big day coincides with travel plans, airlines often recognize the occasion, turning routine flights into moments of personal celebration. Imagine settling into your seat and being greeted with a warm smile and a birthday card, personalized by none other than the flight crew. It’s a thoughtful touch that adds a spark to your day.
5. Your Unique Computer IP
When you reserve a flight online, not only are your personal details and trip schedule recorded in what’s called a Passenger Name Record, but airlines might also collect data about the specific internet address of the computer you used during the process.
6. Where You’re Staying
Imagine arranging a flight, hotel, and rental car all together for convenience. Did you know that by doing this, your airline often has the specific details of where you’ll be staying?
Your travel preferences, including where you’ll unwind at the end of the day, are kept for quite a spell—up to five years. That means every detail you enter on the booking site is neatly filed away, so your preferences and plans are well known to your carrier.
7. Your Allergies
When you fly, airlines are pretty smart about knowing if you have any allergies. For instance, if dairy upsets your stomach or gluten is your foe, they’ll have a note of it. Really serious allergy? Some airlines might ask everyone to skip that snack while you’re on board.
8. Your Attitude
Modern airline staff use advanced systems that alert flight attendants about passengers who might be having a rough day. For example, someone might be frustrated due to a delay at security and miss their flight.
Ground personnel have the ability to send a quick message to the cabin crew to let them know, helping them understand your situation better. This heads-up is particularly useful when you’ve had a challenging time before boarding and might not be in the best of spirits.
9. How Many Miles You’ve Accumulated
Airlines have nifty ways to keep track of how often you’re in the sky. It’s a way for crew members to recognize and congratulate those who’ve chosen to fly frequently with the airline. Your loyalty to flying may not only earn you those miles but also some appreciation from the flight crew as they acknowledge your impressive mileage achievements.
