One in three Russian travelers favors online check-in (37%), a convenient service that lets passengers complete their flight check-in on the internet. Among those who used this option, 58% were Buzzers and 42% were millennials. These findings come from a Kupibilet study, examined by socialbites.ca, shedding light on how digital tools shape travel routines today.
Choosing a specific seat emerged as the most popular feature across generations, with 59% of respondents taking part. Of these, 46% were millennials and 12% were buzzers. Passengers showed a clear preference for seats at the front of the cabin, particularly the first 10 rows, situated by the window. These spots are prized because they tend to speed up boarding and deboarding. The appeal also extended to seats near emergency exits and rows with more personal space. On average, a seat selected by the traveler themselves costs around 800 rubles. Ekaterina Dolgikh, Marketing Director of Kupibilet, commented on these trends.
The option to pay for extra luggage was utilized by 13% of respondents. Millennials used this service more often (9%) than buzzers (4%). Priority support, which offers faster travel assistance, was selected by 4% of participants, including 3% of Millennials and 1% of buzzers. Ticket refunds were processed by 3% of respondents, with 2% of Millennials and 1% of buzzers taking advantage of this option.
The least popular feature was ordering additional meals, chosen by 2.6% of respondents, 1.9% of buzzers, and 0.7% of millennials. While standard meals are often included in the ticket price, some travelers still choose to order special meals for their journeys.
Overall, the average cost for a full package of services (online check-in, seat selection, extra baggage, priority support, ticket refunds, and special meals) was 8,100 rubles. Millennials showed a willingness to pay about 3,000 rubles more for comfort, valuing seat selection, additional baggage, priority support, and refund options. Buzzers, similarly oriented toward comfort, were prepared to spend an extra 1,500 rubles on these services. Dolgikh noted that these preferences reflect distinct travel comfort priorities across generations.
Interestingly, the study also hints at social dynamics in travel planning. It suggests that older cohorts tend to rely more on established routines, while younger groups experiment with add-on services to tailor the journey. That pattern aligns with a broader shift toward personalized travel experiences, where convenience and control inside the airport and on board are highly valued.