Four Ways IoT is Transforming How We Travel 

In case you hadn't heard, the Internet of Things (IoT) is playing an increasingly large part in all our lives, having reached an estimated 18 billion IoT devices in 2024. What's more, Accenture predicts that IoT could add $14.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030. 

So, what will IoT be impacting? The answer is “basically everything”. 

Every step of the way

Cars, thermostats, refrigerators, wearables and even cows (tracked to let the farmer know when the cow is going into labor) are currently utilizing IoT, and ‘things’ are still gaining momentum. 

One of the areas currently being transformed by enhanced connectivity is the travel industry. Back in 2013, London City Airport became the first airport to integrate the Internet of Things by  measuring passenger journeys via a sensor network, along with monitoring the position and movement of airport equipment, to reduce the turnaround time for flights. 

By now, IoT is absolutely essential to airport operation around the world, and the best is undoubtedly yet to come. Such as... 

Tracking your baggage 

Remember the name 'smart luggage', as it's something we're going to be hearing a lot more of. Smart luggage will see suitcases and travel bags equipped with GSP tracking, fingerprint locks, weight notifications and more. Misplaced your bag? You'll be able to always track its exact location, along with eliminating the worry of someone getting into the bag due to finger sensor locks. 

Faster queuing, fewer delays 

In a poll asking travelers about their biggest complaints for air travel, 67% went with flight delays and cancellations. Whether travelling for work or pleasure, we're nearly always running under certain time constraints, and extended queuing time or flight delays only worsens the situation. 

Birmingham Airport was among the first in combatting this by deploying a sensor-agnostic tracking and monitoring system called BlipTrack. Capturing data from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connected sensors to detect mobile devices, it tracked information such as travel times, dwell times and passenger movement patterns, allowing the airport to calculate accurate wait times and avoid passenger congestion. 

Airport navigation 

One of Beijing newer airports  features a 700,000 square-meter terminal, making it among the world's largest. Getting from one side of that airport to the other would take a significant amount of time – a distance that can be lengthened considerably by heading in the wrong direction or getting lost altogether. 

Thankfully a number of airports are utilizing IoT solutions to provide passengers with swifter journeys through the airport. Miami airport, for instance, operates a network of 400 beacons which provide detailed information and personalized services to customers at its terminals and various shops. Through its mobile app, users can scan boarding passes, receive indoor navigation and see gate walk-times and flight updates. And in Denmark, the Billund Airport has installed an IoT system to measure passenger flows, queues and dwell times from car park to departure. 

Enhancing your in-flight experience 

It’s now possible to embedded sensors into cabin seats to analyze passengers' levels of temperature, hydration and anxiety, and adjusting the cabin environment to increase comfort levels. Real-time and historical data could inform the cabin crew of your food and beverage preferences, along with analyzing your previous journeys, resulting in a more personalized service for you and every passenger on the flight. 

Accelerating IoT  

Almost 80% of airports globally say they are leveraging digital technologies, beacons and other sensor technology to allow them to provide flight, gate, walk time or other important notifications to passengers.  

1GLOBAL, recognized as IoT Innovation Provider of the Year, is a firm believer in the power and future of the Internet of Things. With 1GLOBAL’s IoT solutions, you can easily connect and manage your assets anywhere, anytime, on one contract, all via our industry-leading platform. Discover today how 1GLOBAL can enhance your travel services.