TLDR:
Alaska Airlines is testing an AI-powered flight search tool that allows users to search for flights using loyalty points and get suggestions based on general topics of interest. The tool is still in the early stages but aims to enhance the travel planning experience for users.
Key Points:
- Alaska Airlines is testing an AI-powered flight search tool to help users redeem loyalty points and get suggestions based on general topics of interest.
- The tool aims to enhance the travel planning experience by providing personalized flight options and streamlining the process of using loyalty points.
Full Article:
Alaska Airlines is testing an AI-powered flight search tool that allows users to search for flights using loyalty points and get suggestions based on general topics of interest. The tool is still in the early stages, but it represents an early glimpse at how the future of airline loyalty tech and search could look.
The tool enables users to ask for suggested flight destinations based on general topics, such as whale-watching beaches or wine-tasting vacations. It also allows users to search for flights that can be purchased with specific amounts of loyalty points, addressing a common pain point for mileage plan members who spend time looking for award flights.
Alaska Airlines’ managing director of product and digital experiences, Natalie Bowman, highlighted the potential of AI to enhance the end-to-end travel journey and put the loyalty program at the core of the travel experience. The tool incorporates the network of 30 airline partners that fly to destinations worldwide, showcasing the opportunities for global travel booking through Alaska Airlines.
Despite some issues with the tool, such as suggesting flights to the West Coast of the U.S. by default and occasional errors that require refresh, Alaska Airlines plans to make the tool available to all website visitors in June. The airline is also working on broader trip planning tools with Google engineers and exploring ways to integrate AI assistants to enhance the shopping experience and increase sales rates.
In addition to the AI flight search tool, Alaska Airlines is investing in passenger technology upgrades in airport lobbies and supporting startups that aim to modernize the transportation industry. Overall, the airline is focused on leveraging AI and technology to provide a seamless and personalized travel experience for its customers.