However, this move is indicative of a wider trend within the airline and airport industries, where profit maximization is increasingly prioritized over passenger comfort and satisfaction.
As airlines focus on generating revenue, they risk turning airports into mere shopping venues rather than spaces designed for ease and comfort.
In 2021, American Airlines issued a request for proposals for a new concessions program at New York JFK Terminal 8. In 2019, before the JetBlue partnership and when American was holding onto slots and had partially withdrawn from the New York market, sales in the terminal were $107.4 million across 21 food and beverage, 3 duty free, 12 specialty retail, 4 currency exchange and 8 travel essential outlets. By July 2023, they announced for what was described as a two-year project for a redevelopment plan for the terminal.
Travelers are voicing increasing dissatisfaction over the terminal's overhaul. The Muslim World Report noted that with other issues already burdening travelers, the added stress of navigating larger distances without help is another blow to customer welfare. "Usually when I’m “struggling” at the airport, I’m not going to buy anything because I’m pissed," one traveler wrote on Reddit.
As American Airlines and others start to see airports more as profit hubs, this not only threatens individual passenger experiences but also the wider travel ecosystem. The implications go beyond mere inconvenience; they indicate a worrying trend of commodifying travel in a way that pushes customers away rather than accommodating them.
However, this trend could lead to airports becoming more focused on retail and dining rather than travel efficiency and passenger satisfaction. In the long run, such a shift could result in a more fragmented travel experience, where passengers are seen primarily as consumers rather than individuals.
Furthermore, if this model turns out to be a success in the short run, it might encourage other airlines to adopt similar strategies, thereby distancing themselves further from travelers.
This could lead to heightened dissatisfaction and public campaigns against corporate behaviors that put profits before comfort, possibly leading to regulatory examination of airport and airline practices - though this might require substantial time and concerted effort.
What happens if the removal of the moving walkway triggers a major public outcry? The possibility of passengers opting for different modes of transport or voicing their displeasure on social media platforms could act as a catalyst for change.
https://www.themirror.com/authors/anna-carlson/
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