Types of Travelers

1.     Business Traveler

The business traveler is always on the go, typically living out of their suitcase and on their mobile device. This person is typically a simple traveler, but who also likes to travel in comfort and style. As much as it’s about comfort, it’s also about convenience. Business travelers are often traveling on a tight budget and schedule and these things are important when booking a flight.

  • Needs to be connected, preferably with WiFi access.
  • Typically prefers traveling in first class for convenience and comfort.
  • Needs quick, convenient access to

2.     Family Traveler

For the family traveler it comes down to sticking to the budget, while also making the travel as stress-free as possible. You won’t usually find these travelers taking the red-eye nor the early morning flight. Saving money is typically much more important than comfort or style. As much as saving money is important though, they most importantly want to stick together when flying. Having appropriate transportation that accommodates to the family is also important.

  • The family traveler is always on the look-out for the best deal that’s going to save them the most money.
  • Needs transportation that is going to accommodate both the number of people in their family and their luggage.
  • May need special arrangements if traveling with a baby.

3.     Backpack & Adventure Traveler

The backpack and adventure traveler is always on the go. This person’s home is often the airplane and airport since they travel so much. Traveling on a cheaper fare always wins out over convenience or comfort, even if it means waking up before dawn. The backpack and adventure traveler is typically a very free spirit that isn’t tied down to time.

  • Every detail of the trip, down to transportation, checking baggage and booking seats is about saving money and sticking to a budget.
  • As a constant traveler, the backpack and adventure traveler has special baggage check-in needs. Factors include carry-on requirements, check-in requirements and check-in fees.

4.     Elderly/Disabled Traveler

The elderly/disabled traveler can often have the most needs of any traveler depending on special circumstances that are necessary. This can include special transportation between terminals when necessary or at least a wheel chair. What’s important for the elderly travel is always accessibility. Accessibility always trumps other factors such as price.

  • Every detail of the trip for an elderly/disabled traveler has to be accessible, from transportation, to moving from terminal to terminal to getting on the plane.
  • They depend on accessibility both when boarding and disembarking, which typically means they at least need a wheelchair both when preparing for departure and arrival.
  • Elderly and disabled travelers depend on convenient and accessible seating. They should never be seated in an exit row.

5. Penny Pincher’s/Student Traveler

For the penny pincher and student travel, it all comes down to the best price. Penny pincher travelers typically aren’t loyal to a particular brand, but only committed to the lowest price. Student travelers will sleep in an airport or would even fly from the jump seat if it meant saving $100. As such, they rarely check bags in since there are so few airlines that don’t charge for checked baggage.

  • Penny pinchers travel solely based on the bottom line price they can get, even if it means flying on an airline they’ve never flown with.
  • Penny pinchers take as many bags on-board as possible to avoid check baggage fees.
  • The penny pincher is the first one to jump to the front of the line when a flight is overbooked and an airline offers free vouchers.

6. Long Term Traveler

The long term traveler usually has no final destination as they have no place to call home. As much as they want to penny pinch, they often have to bite the bullet and pay the extra charges for baggage, as they can often have large pieces of luggage that can’t be carried on. Because they have traveled so much, they are very flexible and take what they can get, especially when it comes to saving a little money while doing so.

  • The long term traveler depends on airlines that can accommodate their luggage, so checked baggage requirements is one of the most important factors for this traveler.
  • Since the long term traveler typically doesn’t have a home, finding the best rate for flights is an important factor.

7. Newbie Traveler

The newbie or first-time traveler is just getting accustomed to travel. They are experiencing the awe of it and so things like check-in fees and discount fares aren’t usually on their radar. This traveler usually goes for the window seat so they can stay glued to the window while they fly. Being less savvy, they depend on directions and service from flight attendants, pilots and other staff.

  • For the newbie traveler it’s often much more about the experience than the price.
  • The first-time traveler needs as much guidance and assistance as possible from airline and airport staff.
  • The newbie traveler often plans as much as possible and as much in advance as possible, rarely traveling off the whim.