TPG is over 15 years old – this is the next 15 years of travel that may be established
Fifteen years ago, the idea of booking a trip entirely on a smartphone and then uploading all memories to social media was a feeling of cutting edge, if not impossible. Today, however, you can pay for your trip with a quick face scan through security, tapping the plane with your wrist, and completely with points earned with limited time registration bonuses.
As Guy celebrates its 15th anniversary, we will look to the next 15 years. What will travel in the next ten and a half years look like?
Well, we are not Oracles, but we do spend a lot of time thinking about traveling. This is some of the most daring and most likely innovations that shape the future we fly, stay and explore.
The airport of the future
Today’s airport experience is filled with queues, overcrowded airport lounges, lack of dining options and outdated infrastructure. Yes, there are some airport gems nationwide these days – but overall, the airport experience is ripe.
By 2040, I hope there has been a significant change in the way we clean up security and board the plane. Although Clear and TSA Precheck has integrated facial recognition technology, these security plans are still facilitated by agents equipped with tables and machines.
Going forward, I wouldn’t be surprised to see facial recognition, and even gait analysis, that might help automate the authentication process. Even better, your face (or fingerprint) can simply be your boarding pass – without even having to check your flight and provide 2D barcodes throughout the journey.
Another part of the airport experience is already mature, and it is checked baggage. Currently, limited tracking is available when you hand over the bag to the airline. Even for those traveling with Airtags, you can still only have a high level of glimpse into where your schoolbags are.
As the airport luggage system becomes more digital, I expect a more seamless inspection process. These tags themselves may have built-in Bluetooth and RFID technology, allowing you (and airlines) to monitor the progress of the bag in real time. And if the bag is placed in the wrong place, it will definitely be faster and easier to reunite with.
These days, we have seen robots parade around the airport lounge to clean up garbage and organize dishes. I hope there will be more robot assistants in the coming years, many of which may handle the automatic rebooking process when something goes wrong.
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These robots may even deliver snacks to your doorstep and address customers in a foreign language.
up in the air
Once you board the plane, it seems increasingly possible that you will step onto a supersonic jet again.
If Boom Supersonic has a way, then the speed of commercial flights arrive faster than the sound. This isn’t necessarily a new innovation – after all, the now retired coordinator offers supersonic flights, but this may be democratized in 2040.
Arriving at the airport may also be ready for interference. Evtols (or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) may drive flyers outward to major airports and transport centers.
The EVTOL concept is popularized by companies such as Ancher and Joby Aviation, aiming to reduce congestion and reduce commuting time. Some travel observers remain skeptical of the concept, but major airlines have made substantial investments in this area. So, I think we have to take a look.
Finally, airlines have been making substantial investments in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) as more travel providers seek more environmentally friendly ways to fly. While the technology is only just beginning, we may see a lot of investment in SAF and other new inventions we haven’t even heard of, all of which are meant to decarbonize.
Loyalty gained more individuals
We’ve begun to see the loyalty program transition from a cookie-cutter model to a more personalized reward structure – by 2040, we may see more reward structures.
As machine learning and artificial intelligence become more advanced, loyalty programs will be able to tailor-made offers for your behavior, such as flying to your favorite destination during a specific trip or reward points for targeted upgrades.
Also, I hope the points will be more effective. Thanks to technological advancements, I wouldn’t be surprised if by 2040 you can exchange your Skymiles (or other points currency) on national retailers, Amazon.
Even better, we may see more advancements in redemption tools. Currently, Point.me and Seats.aero is a popular focus option for travelers looking to maximize their redemption, but I’m sure there will be more advanced tools to market by 2040.
Hotel room reinvention
The hotel room is already mature. Imagine bypassing the front desk completely – your room will automatically customize lighting, climate control and music for your preferences.
Maybe it can be unlocked simply by brushing your room keys, or simply by talking or showing your face.
We may also see the introduction of a more modular pop-up style hotel in the coming years. People want to explore the latest “IT” destinations, and existing hotels do not have the desire to host all their needs, which may drive this trend.
Borderless exploration
If one aspect of travel is still trapped in the 2000s, it is border control and immigration. Even if programs like Global Entry have invested heavily in the arrival process of members, the entire experience of entering (or returning) a country can be time-consuming and expensive.
Related: 15 places where you need a visa or ETA to travel with a U.S. passport
Yes, there may still be strict visa requirements and customs personnel at the border – but by 2040, the concept of traveling with physical passports and visas may become a thing of the past. By then, digital identity systems will almost certainly be common, allowing you to travel with less stuff.
I can also imagine that traveling abroad will become easier with the introduction of real-time translation software built into AR and VR goggles and digital display panels throughout the trip.
The rise of purposeful travel
Perhaps the biggest change we will see is not technology. This may be just philosophical.
As travel becomes more commoditized, we have begun to see the rise of purposeful travel – travel becomes increasingly involved in holidays and focuses more on connections. So I would like to see more travel focusing on building communities and visiting eco-sites.
This is especially true, as virtual reality tourism is starting to work. We’ve begun to get an early glimpse into the look of VR goggles from companies like Apple and Meta. If you wear these goggles, you can already immerse yourself in places like Sagrada Familia and Big Ben without having to line up.
These tools will mean that when it comes to the road, people may try to explore paths of preference than today’s super popular sites.
Another use case for these VR goggles is the ability to have a “tour before trying” experience. This gives travelers a glimpse of what they will see on the ground and helps them customize their trips and itineraries so that they can meet their needs before they take off.
Bottom line
While the next 15 years may bring a bigger technological leap than the last 15 years, the core value of travel may remain the same. People will still seek adventure, connection and discovery.
It’s just how they go to get these experiences will change – the airport will be revolutionary, the plane you fly to your destination may look different, and your hotel room may know you. The list continues.
But, it’s certain: With travel trends emerging, you can count on TPG to bring you the latest updates.
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