According to ING’s “Czechs and Flying” survey, Czechs most often fly on holiday; they use air travel less often to visit family or friends and to work.
Half of the Czechs have no problem travelling only with hand luggage and prefer to save money because checked baggage is extra, and at least 65% occasionally applaud pilots after landing. According to a survey, more than 90% of passengers arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before departure, and half of them use the relaxation zone. However, a quarter of them says that the number of places to relax at airports is insufficient.
In response to this survey result, a new relax zone is being opened at Terminal 2 of Václav Havel Airport Prague, in cooperation with ING. The place is freely accessible to all passengers departing from Terminal 2. They can use Wi-Fi, recharge their phone or tablet and find out about the destinations on the giant LED display. Books in several languages are also available.
Men and youth under 29 are more often entertained by watching movies in relax zones and surfing the Internet or reading while waiting for departure. They also use waiting to relax and sleep. Most passengers arrive at the airport in the recommended 2 to 3 hours before departure and enjoy using free Wi-Fi.
Better Get Some Water Before Departing
For three-quarters of Czechs, traveling means learning about new places, people and gaining new experiences. “Young people under 29 often travel abroad to learn foreign languages and to get to know themselves. This group is also most aware of the fact that travelling means a way to realize prejudices,” says Radek Sedlář, head of the retail section of ING Bank.
Czechs consider communication in a foreign language to be the most difficult part of a foreign trip. 35% of Czechs agree with this, more often women (40%) than men (29%). The second most demanding thing is packing for the journey itself (21%), followed by the decision to leave (14%). The fourth place is the physical aspect of traveling and the inconvenience associated with jet lag or muscle stiffness. Only 2% of Czechs mentioned the worst part of traveling the point when it is necessary to board the plane.
Czechs have different expectations before departure. Approximately two-thirds of the passengers are getting comfortable with refreshments, half of them surfs the internet, and a third goes shopping. “Czechs are experienced travellers, and they know that hydration is important, so two-thirds of them drink water or some soft drink before departure. 30% of travellers grab a coffee. Another 28% are concerned with the prevention of pressure in the ears using chewing gum or candy, 5% will get a nausea pill, and 3% will prefer prayer,” says Radek Sedlář.
Flying “Standing” Does Not Attract Czechs
According to the ING survey, Czechs have been able to adapt to the trend where more and more airlines are charging extra for a suitcase on wheels, which has been previously allowed aboard free of charge. According to the survey, half of the passengers can also carry a piece of small hand luggage included in the ticket price. A total of 32% of people pay extra for larger luggage, and 15% prefer to buy a ticket at a company with bigger luggage. But the increasingly discussed “flying standing” does not appeal to Czech travellers. Only one-third of people were interested in cheaper airline tickets thanks to the standing seats.