Dubai, UAE, 31 January 2018:   UAE residents are creatures of habits when they travel, a study has found. 

56 per cent of adults in the UAE admit they always go through the same habits and rituals to ensure their journey and holiday goes to plan.

Fliers also follow the same routines when it comes to the time they arrive at the airport, the food and drink they consume when on holiday and even going to the toilet before boarding.

It also emerged that 76 per cent of adults in the UAE believe they are an organised traveller, while 21 per cent admit that although they usually get everywhere on time, and with everything they need, it is a little haphazard.

Carolina Martinoli, director of brand and customer experience at British Airways, which commissioned the research to mark its multi-million pound investment in its World Traveller catering, said: “Travelling by its very nature requires people to relinquish an element of personal control, so we know it helps people to have routines in place to manage that, be that one person being in charge of the passports, getting to the airport early or being ready at the gate as soon as the flight is called.

“These habits are an important part of the holiday ritual and they don’t stop at the airport – in-flight habits such as keeping a phone and money in a pocket or choosing what to eat on-board are all part of it too, which is why our investment in our long-haul catering is proving so popular. It caters to all those needs, from the travellers who want to try new food to those who like to squirrel snacks away for later.”

The study, of 1,000 UAE residents, found 42 per cent leave plenty of time to check-in for their flight – getting to the airport after the desk has opened but with time to spare. To find out what kind of traveller you are, take the quiz.

An organised 55 per cent will arrive at the airport before check-in has even opened.

When it comes to eating and drinking, travellers also have their own habits, with 58 per cent of residents in the UAE seeing flying as an ideal opportunity to indulge in food and drink.

42 per cent will tuck into meals, snacks and beverages as soon as it is served on board so they have finished everything when the flight attendant comes around to collect the rubbish, while almost half will hold on to at least some of it to have later in the flight.

But 66 per cent admit they often consume food and drink in the air that they wouldn’t usually have on the ground.

Over 50 per cent of flyers from the UAE are more likely to eat sweets while flying and 53 per cent eat more nuts on a plane than they do on the ground.

Chocolate, fizzy drinks, cheese and biscuits are also among the foods people are more likely to eat in the air.

Researchers also found many travellers follow a set routine when boarding the plane with 44 per cent always going to the toilet beforehand, even if they don’t need to.

65 percent of fliers from the UAE will head to the gate as soon as it is announced, while 29 per cent will hold back to miss the rush, without leaving it until the last minute.
 
A daring one in twenty admit they won’t make a move to the gate until the ‘final call’ message is flashing up on screens.

It also emerged that despite having the overhead lockers, 81 per cent of travellers from the UAE will keep their passports on them during the flight while 83 per cent will keep hold of their phone.

Others will also leave their money, tablet and books/magazines in the seat pocket rather than storing it overhead.

And while 39 percent of adults in the UAE will look after their own travel documents, 53 per cent of respondents say they are often put in charge of keeping hold the of the passports and tickets for everyone they are travelling with.

But researchers also found that travellers from France are among the least likely to have the same rituals on holiday, with just 29 per cent sticking to the same routine when they go away. Germany and Swedish fliers are also less likely to stick with the same habits.

In comparison, almost half of British travellers, 69 per cent of Chinese people and 64 per cent of Indians admit they generally do the same thing.

While travellers in Norway are most likely to consider themselves as organised (87 per cent), those from Hong Kong are at the other end of the scale with just 60 per cent believing they are on top of everything when they travel.

Martinoli concludes: “We’re delighted with the response we’ve had to the new catering. We’ve focused on introducing more quantity and quality. A four-course main meal has been developed by our team of chefs to be full of flavour at 35,000ft and we’ve created regional options depending on the route. The second meal option is either a tasty sandwich or a more substantial pizza wrap, both served with additional snacks, depending on the length of the flight.”

“Our customers have also told us they want to be able to save some items for later in the flight, so we’ve replaced the water cup with a bottle of Highland Spring on the first meal, and added snack boxes on our longest flights. We’re also offering Magnum ice-creams on daylight flights from London and a Tuck Box on inbound and overnight flights.”

The popular meal options for customers with special dietary requirements will continue to be available to book on ba.com/managemybooking more than 24 hours ahead of their flight departing. 

Travellers looking for a special treat can also pre-order meals on flights from Heathrow up to 24-hours before their flight. Options include a Gourmet Dining meal for £18.00, Taste of Britain and Taste of the Far East for £16.00 and a Great British Breakfast, a Healthy Choice meal or a Vegetarian Kitchen option all for £15.00.

British Airways is investing £4.5 billion for customers over the next five years, covering the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline is also investing £600m specifically in Club World, including outstanding catering and luxurious White Company bedding - plus, from 2019, a new seat with direct aisle access. This year British Airways will start services to six new routes including Nashville and The Seychelles.