These Are the Airline Perks That Travelers Care About the Most, According to New Study

Choosing which airline to fly can often make (or break) your travel experience from the moment you check in, but it turns out that luggage allowance is the top priority for most passengers when booking flights. 

This insight comes from a new study from Travelport, a well-known online travel retail platform, which examined the most important onboard perks valued by travelers. The options given ranged from legroom to complimentary Wi-Fi to seat selection, among other factors. 

“Despite tight wallets, almost a third (29.3 percent) of people aren’t willing to give up traveling to save money,” the company shared in a statement with Travel + Leisure. “While they might be cutting back on some pieces of their travel experience to make it more affordable, new research from Travelport has identified the top three flight perks that are most important to travelers.”

The study, which surveyed approximately 1,700 travelers who had flown at least once in the past 12 months, revealed that 63 percent of respondents said the number of free carry-on or checked bags was the most important factor when booking a flight. Additionally, 50 percent indicated that flexible change and cancellation policies, along with free seat selection, were also key decision-making factors.

These top three factors ranked higher than other options like legroom, Wi-Fi, and inflight entertainment, suggesting that travelers prefer to have these essential needs covered in the cost of their airfare. 

It’s a notable trend, as many low-cost carriers — infamous for their à-la-carte pricing and extra fees beyond the base ticket — are adapting to these evolving preferences. In recent months, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines have eliminated change fees and launched new fare classes that include these amenities, such as seat selection and baggage. 

Similarly, JetBlue has introduced free carry-on bags with basic economy tickets, which previously were limited to a personal item no larger than a backpack. Southwest Airlines, which was already offering flexible changes and a generous luggage allowance, is set to replace its open-boarding policy with assigned seating in the near future.