Alaska Airlines is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence in their flight search tool to inspire travelers and help them redeem loyalty points. This new tool allows users to ask for flight suggestions based on general interests and to search for flights that can be purchased using loyalty points. The airline aims to provide a more personalized and comprehensive travel experience by integrating its loyalty program and expanding its global network of airline partners. The tool was released in mid-April for a limited number of website visitors and will be available to all visitors in June.
The AI-powered flight search tool was designed by one of Alaska’s engineers using software tech from Microsoft and generative AI from OpenAI. Users can input prompts such as “Take my family to a beach with whales this summer” to receive flight suggestions for various destinations along with short descriptions. Additionally, users can search for flights that can be purchased with a specific amount of loyalty points, addressing a common pain point for mileage plan members. However, there are some issues with the tool, such as frequent errors and limited suggestions beyond the West Coast of the U.S.
Alaska Airlines is working on integrating its loyalty program with their partners, such as Lyft and Avis Budget, to provide users with a seamless experience for earning and redeeming points. They are also developing a broader trip planning tool with a team of Google engineers to provide users with a more holistic travel planning experience. The airline is investing in various AI projects, including a personalized email tool for post-booking communications, personalized flight recommendations, and an AI assistant to increase sales rates during the booking process. Additionally, Alaska is investing $2.5 billion in upgrading passenger technology in airport lobbies and supporting startups aiming to modernize the transportation industry.
Overall, the Alaska Airlines AI flight search tool is an early glimpse into the future of airline loyalty tech and search capabilities. By incorporating AI technology, the airline aims to provide a more personalized and seamless travel experience for its customers. The tool allows users to search for flights based on general interests and redeem loyalty points, but there are still some issues to be addressed, such as limited suggestions and errors. Alaska is also working on integrating its loyalty program with partners and developing a broader trip planning tool to enhance the overall travel experience. With ongoing investments in AI technology and passenger technology upgrades, Alaska Airlines is positioning itself for growth and innovation in the airline industry.
