In-flight casinos, is it really a nonsensical idea? An exploratory approach using different choice experiments

Abstract

Most airlines make various efforts to enhance their customers' levels of in-flight satisfaction while offering alternative services and entertainment. As an innovative service item, some international airlines plan in-flight casino facilities to relieve their customers' boredom and fatigue emanating from tedious long flights. Using a study sample of casino visitors in Korea, we intend to better understand how potential airline passengers show their willingness to pay for the hypothetical in-flight casino services. We also employ multiple choice experimental techniques to examine preference heterogeneity embedded in the sampled population. Based on study results, several management strategies are discussed for offering tailored in-flight entertainment services to targeted market segments.