Following a recent incident involving a Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft, Kayak, a popular metasearch platform, has seen a significant increase in the utilization of its aircraft filter by travelers. Concerned about the type of aircraft they will be flying on, these travelers are seeking more information before booking their flights. According to Kayak CEO Steve Hafner, there has been a 15-fold rise in the use of their aircraft filter. This surge prompted Kayak to prioritize the visibility of the filter on their platform and also introduced the option to search specifically for the Boeing 737-8 Max and 737-9 Max aircraft models. In the past, all 737 Max models were grouped together in the search results. These changes aim to assist travelers who want to avoid flying on 737 Max planes.
An Evolution of Filtering Tools
Kayak’s aircraft filter was initially introduced in 2019, soon after the accidents involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Lion Air Flight 610, both of which involved Boeing 737 Max aircraft. This tool was developed to address the concerns of travelers who were apprehensive about flying on this particular model. However, the recent incident with the Alaska Airlines flight has further heightened these concerns, leading to a noticeable increase in the usage of the filter. Although Kayak did not provide specific data on the filter’s usage prior to this spike, they did acknowledge that it was relatively low.
At present, the Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all Boeing 737-9 Max planes, but the Boeing 737 Max-8 model is still in operation. The duration of this grounding period for 737-9 Max planes remains uncertain. While the aircraft filter can be a valuable tool during the booking process, CEO Steve Hafner emphasizes the importance of passengers exercising caution even after purchasing their tickets. Airlines often substitute aircraft, so passengers are advised to verify the equipment being used prior to departure. This additional step will provide an extra layer of assurance for concerned passengers.
Alternatives to Kayak
Although Kayak has made significant updates to enhance their aircraft filtering tool, other popular platforms like Google Flights and Skyscanner do not offer a similar filtering feature. While Google Flights displays the type of aircraft in the search results, it does not allow users to filter their search based on aircraft type. Similarly, Skyscanner confirmed that they do not provide this functionality. Therefore, travelers who wish to proactively choose their aircraft model may find Kayak to be the most useful platform currently available.
The growing demand for aircraft filtering tools, as seen through the increase in usage on Kayak, signifies a shift in travelers’ priorities. Passengers are now more conscious of the type of aircraft they will be traveling on, and these tools empower them to make more informed decisions. As a result, airlines may face pressure to be more transparent about the aircraft models they operate and provide this information to travelers during the booking process. Moreover, other metasearch platforms and booking websites might consider integrating similar features to cater to the evolving preferences of their customers.
The recent incident involving a Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft has sparked a surge in the utilization of Kayak’s aircraft filtering tool. Travelers are increasingly concerned about the type of aircraft they will be flying on and desire more information before booking their flights. Kayak’s response to this increased demand highlights the importance of providing transparency and choice to passengers in the airline industry. As travelers’ awareness and preferences continue to evolve, it is likely that filtering tools and transparency regarding aircraft models will become standard features among metasearch platforms and booking websites.
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