Increases in air travel, disposable income, and median age around the world suggest that the needs of the older traveler will have an increasing impact on the air travel system. Embraer, Boeing and GMA Research, Inc. conducted focus groups, fly-along ethnographic observations and on-line surveys with older air travelers in Japan, Germany, Brazil and the United States. Difficulties walking long distances, accessing overhead bins, operating automated check-in kiosks and in-flight entertainment systems, and entering and exiting seats were common themes. The relatively limited space and perceived sanitary conditions within the lavatories also posed limitations for many older travelers. However, a striking number of older travelers report a desire to continue travelling as often or more frequently in the future.

Passenger cabin noise requirements for commercial airplanes are being expanded beyond the traditional focus on noise annoyance and speech intelligibility. There is increasing recognition that the passenger response to the cabin soundscape is much more complex; affecting perceptions of product quality, and impacting fatigue and comfort. Tailoring the soundscape for a preferred cabin environment requires the development of metrics that capture a range of passenger responses. In a preliminary exploration of potential metrics, a series of experiments were undertaken to investigate passenger preference for several classes of stationary and transient sounds within the passenger cabin. The design, implementation, and data analysis for these experiments is discussed, along with the application of results to enhance cabin comfort and to convey product quality. Key findings confirm what has been found in sound quality studies in other industries: sound level alone does not fully account for passenger preference.

It is increasingly common to see older flight attendants in many countries. Embraer, Boeing and GMA Research, Inc. collaborated to conduct focus groups, fly-along observations and on-line surveys with older flight attendants in Germany and the United States. Difficulties with workload, overhead lifting and injuries were common themes. Offsetting the negative physical aspects for the older flight attendants was the feeling that they were better able to cope with disruptive passengers and crew issues.