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Hospitality in Aviation: a genealogical study

Nilsson, Jan-Henrik LU orcid (2012) In Hospitality & Society 2(1). p.77-98
Abstract
The aviation business has gone through a process of radical restructuring during the latest decades. De-regulation and fierce competition from low-cost carriers have put traditional flag carriers under pressure, resulting in falling fares. In this cost cutting process, service quality aboard has in many cases fallen at the same time as the glamorous image of aviation partly remains. This process has resulted in a number of contradictions. The purpose of this article is to make a genealogical investigation of hospitality in aviation, in order to explain how the performance and image of hospitality have developed over time and thereby shed some light over contemporary developments. It is argued that the service culture of passenger aviation... (More)
The aviation business has gone through a process of radical restructuring during the latest decades. De-regulation and fierce competition from low-cost carriers have put traditional flag carriers under pressure, resulting in falling fares. In this cost cutting process, service quality aboard has in many cases fallen at the same time as the glamorous image of aviation partly remains. This process has resulted in a number of contradictions. The purpose of this article is to make a genealogical investigation of hospitality in aviation, in order to explain how the performance and image of hospitality have developed over time and thereby shed some light over contemporary developments. It is argued that the service culture of passenger aviation has two historical roots; both of which developed in distinct social and institutional settings. Traditional scheduled aviation developed out of first class rail service and marine traditions coming from the passengers steam liners of the early 20th century. Low-cost aviation on the other hand developed out of the charter industry, which in turns goes back to tour operators using buses and coaches. These two traditions have shaped different sets of expectations and relations to service aboard an aircraft. This historic perspective builds on a combination of social, geographic, economic, institutional and technological factors influencing the development of hospitality in aviation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
stewardesses, catering, hospitality, Key words: aviation, low-cost aviation, casualisation of aeromobility
in
Hospitality & Society
volume
2
issue
1
pages
77 - 98
publisher
Intellect Ltd.
external identifiers
  • scopus:84876427532
ISSN
2042-7921
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9f4e62fb-7ded-4644-8c27-6e2332764a10 (old id 1359466)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:47:09
date last changed
2023-01-02 07:52:29
@article{9f4e62fb-7ded-4644-8c27-6e2332764a10,
  abstract     = {{The aviation business has gone through a process of radical restructuring during the latest decades. De-regulation and fierce competition from low-cost carriers have put traditional flag carriers under pressure, resulting in falling fares. In this cost cutting process, service quality aboard has in many cases fallen at the same time as the glamorous image of aviation partly remains. This process has resulted in a number of contradictions. The purpose of this article is to make a genealogical investigation of hospitality in aviation, in order to explain how the performance and image of hospitality have developed over time and thereby shed some light over contemporary developments. It is argued that the service culture of passenger aviation has two historical roots; both of which developed in distinct social and institutional settings. Traditional scheduled aviation developed out of first class rail service and marine traditions coming from the passengers steam liners of the early 20th century. Low-cost aviation on the other hand developed out of the charter industry, which in turns goes back to tour operators using buses and coaches. These two traditions have shaped different sets of expectations and relations to service aboard an aircraft. This historic perspective builds on a combination of social, geographic, economic, institutional and technological factors influencing the development of hospitality in aviation.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Jan-Henrik}},
  issn         = {{2042-7921}},
  keywords     = {{stewardesses; catering; hospitality; Key words: aviation; low-cost aviation; casualisation of aeromobility}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{77--98}},
  publisher    = {{Intellect Ltd.}},
  series       = {{Hospitality & Society}},
  title        = {{Hospitality in Aviation: a genealogical study}},
  volume       = {{2}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}