The airline industry is evolving rapidly, driven by digital transformation and data-driven innovations. One of the most exciting airline technology trends today is feed-based content solutions – a game changer for managing airline KPIs and operational data. But with every new technology come questions.
What makes feed-based technology so revolutionary for airlines? How can it transform the way airlines monitor performance metrics, manage operations, and make data-driven decisions?
We’ve gathered your most pressing questions and answered 21 must-knows about this groundbreaking innovation in aviation technology.
If you’re new to feed-based solutions or curious about the future of real-time airline data, start with these posts:
- The Future of Airline KPIs
- Why You Need to Track 10,000 Airline Operations KPIs in Real-Time (and How)
- Disrupting Through Content at Scale — What Airlines Can Learn from Social Media
1 – What Is a Feed-Based Airline Content Solution?
Feed-based airline content solutions bring a familiar digital experience to the aviation industry, similar to the endless content feeds we see on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Instead of relying on static dashboards or traditional reports (such as PDFs or PowerPoint presentations), feed-based technology offers airlines a dynamic, scrollable stream of real-time operational data and performance metrics.
This innovative approach allows airline professionals to access KPIs, flight data, and operational insights with the same ease and flexibility they experience when browsing social media, making data-driven decision-making faster and more intuitive than ever before.
2 – What Are the Benefits of Feed-Based Technology?
One of the key benefits of this technology is the freedom from static views. Unlike traditional dashboards, these solutions present content in a continuous, scrollable format, creating entirely new opportunities for airlines to visualize and interact with operational data.
With this approach, exploring content becomes swift and intuitive. Users no longer need to drill down through rigid dashboard structures. Additionally, the technology enables advanced features like smart KPIs and contextual communication, allowing personalized, real-time insights tailored to individual roles (see questions 6, 8, and 9).
3 – Is Feed-Based Technology Replacing Airline Dashboards?
A question many of you have asked: Will feed-based technology replace traditional airline dashboards? The answer is no. Here are two key reasons why:
1. Different Use Cases:
This technology and dashboards have different roles. These solutions help explore data, uncover insights, and gain knowledge through a continuous content stream. In contrast, dashboards provide structured tools for targeted searches and quick overviews.
2. Situational Awareness:
Airline dashboards remain essential, especially as tools for overall situational awareness. They are indispensable in environments such as Operations Control Centers or Hub Control Centers, where a high-level operational overview is critical.
In conclusion, feed-based technology does not replace dashboards but complements them, providing new ways to engage with operational data while retaining the clarity and structure of traditional dashboard views.
4 – Is This Technology Only About Visualizing Airline KPIs?
No, feed-based technology extends far beyond just visualizing KPIs. Although key performance indicators are a vital part of the displayed content, such solutions should integrate information from various sources. This results in a comprehensive overview of airline operations, merging performance metrics with real-time updates and situational insights.
5 – What Other Airline Content Can Be Displayed?
Feed-based solutions can aggregate and display a wide range of content that supports situational awareness and provides valuable insights. Examples include:
- News articles from aviation websites
- Real-time social media updates (e.g., Twitter feeds)
- Flight status and operational updates
- Ground process information (e.g., baggage handling, gate assignments)
- Weather forecasts and alerts
- NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)
- Financial indicators (e.g., stock prices, fuel costs)
This diverse content ecosystem allows airlines to combine operational data with external insights, creating a richer, more actionable information flow.
6 – How Can Content Be Personalized for a Single User?
Personalization is essential for the success of feed-based solutions. Without it, users may quickly feel overwhelmed by irrelevant information. Most content should be generated automatically at scale, but personalized delivery remains key.
Effective personalization relies on three main methods:
- Channel Selection: Users choose their preferred topics, and each content piece is tagged accordingly to ensure relevant updates.
- Behavior Tracking: The system analyzes user interactions and adjusts recommendations based on past engagement.
- Relevance Scoring: Content is prioritized by importance, engagement levels, and context (e.g., high-priority alerts, user interactions, and comments).
These strategies create a tailored feed, improving both productivity and engagement.
7 – Why Is Automated Content Important?
While this technology is similar to social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, it differs in one key aspect: Content creation in airline operations should be mostly automated.
We believe that at least 90–95% of content should be automatically generated, with only a small portion created manually. Here’s why:
1. Efficiency: Airline employees have core responsibilities and cannot spend time manually producing content.
2. Scalability: Airlines generate vast amounts of operational data that need to be shared instantly and continuously.
Of course, there should still be options for manual content creation—especially for important announcements or updates—but automation is essential to deliver large-scale, real-time operational insights effectively.
8 – What Is Contextual Communication?
Contextual communication is a powerful feature of feed-based technology that enables real-time discussions directly within the content feed. It allows airline teams to collaborate instantly on critical updates and operational events.
Example: Suppose a post about a runway closure at a specific airport appears in the feed. The station manager, a pilot scheduled to land at that airport, and the customer care manager all see the same update simultaneously. They can immediately start a conversation in the comments section:
- Local updates can be provided by the station manager.
- Adjustments to flight routes can be confirmed by the pilot.
- Preparation for potential passenger inquiries falls under the responsibility of the customer care manager.
This type of real-time, topic-specific communication accelerates decision-making and helps resolve issues faster, often preventing operational delays.
9 – Which Devices Should Be Supported?
Mobile-first is essential. Although desktop versions are useful, particularly for control center teams, mobile devices are the primary tool for most operational staff.
Why mobile-first?
- Accessibility: Mobile devices ensure that critical updates reach users instantly, no matter where they are.
- User Behavior: Similar to social media platforms, most users engage more frequently with content on their smartphones.
- Real-Time Alerts: Mobile push notifications enable immediate responses to operational changes.
While desktop access is a valuable addition, smartphones are the cornerstone of any feed-based airline solution. Period.
10 – How Is Feed-Based Technology Linked to Smart Airline KPIs?
Smart KPIs represent a significant advancement in airline performance measurement. Unlike traditional KPIs, which are often static, smart KPIs dynamically combine multiple performance metrics, offering deeper, real-time insights.
Example: Instead of calculating a single on-time performance (OTP) value, smart KPIs can produce:
- OTP for each sub-fleet
- OTP for every airport served
- A comparison of today’s OTP with yesterday’s or last week’s average
- Hourly OTP comparisons or monthly trends
- OTP benchmarks against competitors
- A comparison of the current OTP with similar days in previous weeks
- OTP comparisons with past days that had a similar number of passengers
This concept can be extended to other key metrics such as regularity, number of passengers, delay minutes, and delay reasons.
By using a feed-based platform, airlines can present hundreds of these tailored KPI variations dynamically. Personalized feeds ensure that each user receives only the KPI insights most relevant to their role and responsibilities—without being bound to a fixed KPI set.
11 – How Does This Technology Enable New Forms of Airline Analytics?
This advancement is closely tied to the concept of smart KPIs. Unlike traditional analytics, where users search for insights, these platforms push insights directly to the user.
Through continuous calculation and automated delivery of thousands of KPIs, users are presented with answers to questions they may not have even thought to ask. As a result, feed-based technology shifts analytics from a reactive process to a proactive one, enabling better decision-making without manual data exploration.
12 – Should We Include Social Interactions and Functions?
Although a feed-based airline solution doesn’t need to replicate every social media feature, certain interactive functionalities are essential. Features like commenting, liking, and sharing are highly recommended because they promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across teams.
- Comments: Allow team members to discuss operational issues directly within the post.
- Likes: Provide quick acknowledgment of important updates.
- Shares: Enable users to distribute critical information across teams instantly.
These social-style interactions enhance communication and foster a more connected operational environment.
13 – Can You Give Some Examples of Content Types?
A well-designed solution should support various content formats to deliver information clearly and effectively. Essential content types include:
- Text posts: Quick updates and notices
- Images: Visual representations, such as charts or weather maps
- Videos: Operational briefings or training clips
- Documents: Reports, checklists, or procedure updates
- Audio files: Voice updates for urgent or mobile-restricted scenarios
Supporting multiple formats ensures that information is delivered in the most effective way for each situation.
14 – Is This Approach Airline-Specific?
No. While feed-based technology offers unique advantages for airlines, the concept is not airline-specific. Similar feed-based solutions can benefit industries such as logistics, rail transportation, and maritime operations, where real-time updates and operational insights are equally critical.
15 – What Infrastructure Is Required to Deploy This Technology?
A complete explanation would exceed the scope of this post, but in short: implementing this solution requires a robust digital infrastructure. Key components include:
- Business services and microservices: To manage content creation and distribution
- Data warehouses and hubs: For real-time data aggregation and storage
- APIs and interfaces: To integrate with existing airline operations systems
16 – Which Users or User Groups Should Use a Feed-Based Solution at an Airline?
Frankly speaking, every airline employee can benefit from it. Here’s how it supports different teams:
- Operations Control Center (OCC): Real-time situational updates and alerts
- Pilots and Cabin Crew: Flight-specific operational information
- Customer Service: Immediate updates on delays or disruptions
- Management and Analysts: Continuous performance insights and KPI tracking
17 – Why Does This Technology Have Such Tremendous Potential for Airlines?
The potential of this technology lies in its ability to transform communication and decision-making processes. Just as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have changed how people consume content, feed-based solutions can revolutionize how airlines manage operations. The key benefits include:
- Faster information sharing
- Improved cross-departmental collaboration
- Enhanced real-time decision-making
Key Points in Brief
Feed-based airline technology, inspired by social media platforms, offers a dynamic, scrollable way to access real-time operational data. It breaks free from static dashboards, enabling faster exploration of insights, smart KPIs, and contextual communication. Rather than replacing traditional dashboards, feed-based solutions complement them, providing continuous updates alongside structured overviews.
These solutions integrate diverse content, from flight updates and weather alerts to financial data, offering a comprehensive view of operations. Personalized feeds, driven by behavior tracking and relevance scoring, ensure users receive only the most relevant information. With 90–95% of content automated, airlines gain real-time insights without additional manual effort.
Built with a mobile-first approach, these solutions prioritize accessibility, delivering live updates directly to smartphones. The integration of smart KPIs and continuous analytics empowers proactive decision-making, while interactive features like comments and sharing foster collaboration.
Although designed for airlines, this technology has broad potential across industries. While off-the-shelf products are rare. Its deployment requires robust infrastructure, including data hubs and microservices, but it offers significant value for all airline teams—from operations managers to pilots and customer service agents.
Overall, feed-based solutions hold transformative potential, accelerating communication, boosting collaboration, and enhancing real-time decision-making across the aviation industry.
What Do You Think?
We’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts! If you found this topic interesting, explore more of our blog posts covering digital trends, real-time analytics, and the future of airline technology. Visit our blog library for even more insights: ID1 Blog Library
Further Reading:
IATA (2024). Flight Planning in the Digital Age. Edition 1, December 2024. Available at: [Link]
