Future Travel Experience brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders once again in Dublin. Branchspace had the pleasure of joining insightful panel discussions and contributing to a presentation with British Airways.

The event keeps its reputation as a top-notch gathering of innovative technologies and transformative trends on track to reshape the travel industry. From the integration of digital identity to airline retailing strategies, here’s a recap of our participation in this year’s FTE that took place on June 11-13.

Presentation: Fully Integrated Digital Identity Travel with Branchspace and British Airways

Most of us now use biometrics on a daily basis. We start from the moment we wake up to check any notifications to then each time we need to log in to any app. We’re used to having it for any online shopping experience, so travel should adopt the same process. That’s why Branchspace and British Airways joined to create a fully integrated digital identity travel experience.

Here are some of the key topics discussed:

1. Increasing adoption of biometrics for phone access, reaching 80% of total users.
2. Digital wallets are becoming more mainstream, with a high adoption rate expected among shoppers. Set to reach 5.3 billion people in 2026.
3. Apps for ordering taxis reduce stress by providing real-time tracking and information.
4. Banking processes have moved online, with improvements in user experience making transactions more seamless.
5. The vision of a seamless travel experience through digital identity and biometric technologies, reducing waiting times and improving overall efficiency.
6. Presentation of a proof of concept showing how digital identity and biometrics can streamline the air travel process from check-in to boarding and immigration.
7. The challenges of implementing digital identity systems, including the need for cooperation among different entities.
8. Importance of customer comfort and data security in adopting these new technologies.

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Watch or Listen on Spotify.

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Panel Discussion: How Digital Identity is changing the way we travel

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This panel discussion includes different perspectives on how digital identity is changing the way we travel and how to implement it. Digital identity is surely an essential part of modern retailing and customer-centric travel experiences. There’s a general optimism about its rapid adoption, but also the awareness that it requires an industry-wide collaboration and standardisation.

Here are some of the key topics discussed:

1. The implementation of digital identity in airports like Menorca. The project started with a Proof of Concept for biometric services at boarding gates and security lines.
2. The simplicity of the technology behind digital identity. Selective consent allows sharing specific information as needed for different use cases, enhancing privacy and security.
3. Advantages for airlines, such as eliminating errors from manually entered passport data, reducing operational complexity, and improving customer experience.
4. Potential revenue benefits from improved passenger experience, as relaxed travellers are more likely to spend money at the airport.
5. Digital identity can significantly reduce processing times and enhance the experience for airport employees and stakeholders as well.

Panelists:

• Vanessa Calvo, Head of Funding and Innovation Trends department at Aena
• Bill Carleton, Director, Advanced Recognition Systems at NEC Corporation of America
• Harvey Tate, Human API — Digital Transformation, IAG
• Ursula Silling, CEO of Branchspace

Moderated by Andrew Price, Managing Director at Opermium.

Watch or Listen on Spotify.

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Panel Discussion: Transformational Airline Retailing Strategies

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The transformation of the airline industry through digital strategies is gaining more momentum than ever. This panel discussion raises important questions to some of the best airline examples like LATAM, Lufthansa Group and AirAsia. From the importance of flexibility, especially with the impact of natural disasters, to putting customers at the forefront of their digital strategies, these airlines are surely bringing digital transformation forward.

Here are some of the key topics discussed:

1. Digital transformation enables airlines to respond quickly to changes and challenges, significantly impacting customer experience.
2. Thorough planning combined with agile development allows airlines to manage uncertainty and adapt to evolving needs.
3. Transforming organisational culture and processes is as crucial as updating technology.
4. Leveraging digital tools to enhance personalisation and engagement is vital for improving customer satisfaction.
5. A flexible digital infrastructure enables airlines to explore new business models and revenue streams.

Panelists:

• Ricard Vila, CDO of LATAM
• Keith Martin, Senior Strategy Manager at Lufthansa Group
• Wong Mei Hong, Head of Ancillary Revenue at AirAsia
• Ursula Silling, CEO of Branchspace

Moderated by Eric Leopold, Founder of Threedot.

Watch or Listen on Spotify.

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It was a great opportunity to meet with great innovation leaders and airline professionals who also want to drive the industry forward. We hope to meet you next year.

Check where you can meet us next.