Jet Set Go
Designing a seamless flight booking search engine.
Challenge
Create a credible flight booking search engine website that caters to frequent flier users with specific travel preferences.
Solution
Jet Set Go builds upon existing booking sites design patterns by:
adding the ability for users to search by dates on the calendar
compare up to 10 flights
creates a seamless process that will not re-direct users to finalize booking on other airline websites.
METHODS
Directed Storytelling
Competitive Analysis
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability Testing
TOOLS
Pen & Paper
Excel
Axure
Sketch
MY ROLE
Research
IA
Design
Understand the Current Experience
In order to build a foundation for design, it was important to understand the current flight booking experience. The use of multiple search engine sites and being redirected to airline sites mid-reservation were major pain points identified within the current experience.
Identify Opportunities
A number of competitor sites were reviewed to identify best practices in the industry and areas of opportunity.
Similar design patterns existed across competitor sites and users had developed strong mental models for flight booking homepage features.
However, not all users needs were currently met by the existing sites. Particularly:
a desire for seamless experience
a desire to see all flight options available
Explore Concepts
With these findings in mind, sketching began. Key interaction points included:
views: option to switch from a Detail View (for rigid date-specific travel) to a Calendar View (for those more flexible and price conscious)
sign-in: allows passengers to store information creating an efficient and seamless booking experience from search to confirmation.
Mapping The Flow
While exploring sketches and lo-fi concepts, it became evident a few new features may be needed in order for users to seamlessly accomplish his/her ultimate goal.
The ability to compare flights.
Share itineraries
Save flight for later
Refinement
To determine if the newly designed flight reservation website would align with user's goals and needs, individuals were recruited to participate in a usability test.
While users enjoyed being able to view dates/prices directly on a calendar, results from testing indicated a need for a few prototype enhancements:
remove tab sub-navigation
content updates
move 'Help' section to the top navigation for transparency