- Airline passengers show widespread interest in piloted air
taxis, as travelers embrace the prospect of speedy, convenient and
safe advanced air travel
PHOENIX, March 4,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON)
today released new survey results showing nearly all U.S. airline
fliers (98%) would consider taking an electric vertical take-off
and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, as part of their travel journey.
Commonly referred to as air taxis, these piloted advanced air
mobility (AAM) aircraft are poised to enter passenger service in
select overseas locations and then will take flight in the U.S. The
survey of 1,000 U.S. adult fliers also found that almost 8 out of
10 respondents would travel more often if they could take an air
taxi to the airport (79%).
Across travelers, Honeywell researchers determined that the
possibility of reducing overall travel time was the biggest factor
in their interest. Air taxis are seen as a much faster way to
transition to and from busy airports or between nearby cities, with
almost half of respondents citing "not having to sit in traffic" as
a key motivator (47%). Other factors include ease of use and
convenience (61%), cost (61%), minimal environmental impact (44%)
and the fun factor – with "novelty/curiosity" cited by 44% of
fliers.
"Anyone who travels regularly knows that the journey to and from
the airport often adds unwelcome time, cost and hassle to the
overall trip," said Dave Shilliday,
vice president and general manager of Advanced Air Mobility at
Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. "Air taxis can offer a safe, fast
and innovative alternative to traditional transport methods. Our
research indicates significant appetite for such services already
exists – but like any new technology, consumers need to feel
confident about safety, cost and reliability. Air taxis may sound
like science fiction to some, but we're not far from a time when
they could become a regular part of travel."
Who's looking to take an air taxi? Millennials are most
enthusiastic about flying in an air taxi (65%), compared to 58% of
overall respondents, as are those who flew more than 10 times in
the past year (67%), compared with those who have taken 10 or fewer
roundtrips (56%). Business travelers are also more interested than
those flying for pleasure (60% versus 45%).
The top reason for utilizing an air taxi is traveling between
cities that are within 100 miles of each other (41%). For example,
an eVTOL is expected to take well under an hour to travel from
New York to Philadelphia, compared to two to three hours
by car. Beyond traveling between cities, other desired uses include
travel from a suburban airport to a city center (31%) or traveling
to a connecting flight in a nearby city (28%).
In addition to looking at consumer interest in air taxis, the
research also highlighted safety as an understandable focus for all
fliers, with almost two thirds (65%) saying it is an important
consideration. This is the case for all type of travelers – whether
occasional or frequent, business or pleasure – and demonstrates
that the industry must ensure that safety is the highest
priority.
Honeywell's Advanced Air Mobility business unit develops
nose-to-tail aviation technologies for the aircraft of today and
tomorrow. The business unit also collaborates with AAM customers on
several fronts, moving with the speed, efficiency and agility that
new aircraft developers need. Honeywell's longstanding
relationships with OEMs, regulators and partners helps AAM
companies accelerate the integration, adoption and certification of
next-generation aircraft.
Methodology
The Honeywell Aerospace Survey was conducted by Wakefield
Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 US adult fliers
who are ages 18+. For the purpose of the survey, "fliers" is
defined as those who have taken at least five round-trip flights in
the 12 months between December 5,
2023, and December 12, 2024.
The survey was conducted using an email invitation and an online
survey.
About Honeywell
Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad
range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business
is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future
of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell
Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a
trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest,
most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and
innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial
Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability
Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and
safer as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and
information on Honeywell, please
visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
Contacts:
Media
Adam Kress
+16027606252
adam.kress@honeywell.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/air-taxis-poised-for-mass-adoption-as-honeywell-survey-highlights-consumer-interest-302390496.html
SOURCE Honeywell
