Airports are rapidly evolving into technology-driven hubs, reshaping the travel experience and unlocking significant commercial potential.
Priority Pass, the world’s leading airport lounge and experiences programme and part of The Collinson Group, has released new global research surveying over 12,000 travellers to highlight how digital innovation is transforming traveller behaviour, spending and engagement at airports worldwide and in the UK.
Global airport automation is projected to surge from £40 billion in 2025 to £63 billion by 2033, fuelled by rising passenger expectations and investment in digital infrastructure.
From biometric ID and real-time passenger updates to fully automated check-in and bag drop, the report finds that smart technologies are directly influencing traveller choices and spend.
In the UK, more than two-thirds of travellers identify digital boarding passes (71%) and fast-track through security (68%) as the most impactful technologies, while advanced security scanners (62%) and automated baggage drops (60%) are also highly valued as enhancements to the airport experience.
For British travellers, these technological advancements in airports have led to reduced stress (46%) and more seamless, improved journeys (38%).
Globally, 60% of travellers — particularly Gen Z (71%) and Millennials (67%) — report increased spending at airports due to automation. Nearly half (45%) gain an extra 10–30 minutes per journey, and 1 in 5 (20%) gain up to an hour.
UK-based travellers use this spare time in airports to dine (55%), shop (48%) or visit airport lounges (40%).
The top three features global travellers would like to see in future lounges are smarter, tech-enabled environments with personalised food, entertainment and workspaces (38%), seamless experience booking through apps (37%) and a greater variety of local, independent food options (36%).
As technology continues to transform the airport journey, travellers are increasingly open to automation if it doesn’t come at the expense of service, trust, or personal connection.
While 59% of global travellers believe airports are adopting AI and technology at the right pace, the report underlines the continued importance of human support at critical points.
This is especially true in the UK where people are considered vital for customer service (67%), security (59%), and lost and found (49%). For British travellers, these moments carry emotional weight and uncertainty, and a human presence is a source of calm and clarity.
Looking to the future, global travellers are eager for innovations such as fully biometric journeys (40%), smart baggage tracking (39%), globally consistent security (37%) and signage that automatically translates into native languages (33%).
“With travel volumes continuing to rise, airports are looking to technology to help enhance the curb-to-gate journey whilst also increasing traveller spend,” says Christopher Evans, CEO of Collinson International.
“Automation is freeing up valuable time, lowering stress levels and providing better information, in real time to the traveller.
As airports become more connected and technology-driven, new opportunities are emerging for brands to engage travellers in more meaningful ways.
By partnering with clients to design loyalty programmes and benefits that genuinely align with what travellers want, Priority Pass helps transform airport downtime into memorable experiences.
This approach not only deepens customer engagement and loyalty but also positions businesses to take full advantage of the smarter, passenger-centric airport ecosystem that is now taking shape.
