01137492

Component

Stated preference (SP) experiments are becoming an increasingly popular survey methodology for investigating air travel choice behavior. Nevertheless, some evidence suggests that SP experiments do not mirror decisions in real markets. In this paper we introduce a novel survey methodology that aims to make air travel surveys more consistent with real world settings, with the aim of obtaining more realistic results. The survey is modeled on the interface and functionality of an online travel agent (OTA). As with a real OTA, many ticket options are presented. Sort tools allow the options to be reordered, search tools allow options to be removed from consideration, and a further tool allows attributes to be hidden and shown. Extensive use of these tools is made by the 462 respondents, with the captured data revealing some attribute preferences at the individual level, and significant heterogeneity of preference across individuals. A traditional SP component was also completed by the respondents. Mixed multinomial logit models were estimated on data from both the traditional SP and OTA components, with the later exhibiting greater WTP heterogeneity.

01120148

09-2418

English

19p

2009

Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (2) ; References (28) ; Tables (6)

Air travel; Choice models; Computer reservation systems; Stated preferences; Surveying methods and processes; Travel behavior; Travel surveys

Aviation; Data and Information Technology; I10: Economics and Administration

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2009 Paper #09-2418

BTRIS, TRIS, TRB

Jan 30 2009 6:46PM