Lufthansa, the massive German airline, has recently released 'Mildred,' a friendly chatbot designed to help consumers find the best rates on any Lufthansa flights. Mildred, whose avatar looks like "a friendly lady with glasses and her pink hair in a bun," according to the Lufthansa press release, is accessible through Facebook Messenger.
Mildred's main purpose is to find cheaper airfare for consumers. The bot can search through Lufthansa flights any time within a nine month period. Beyond searching for flights in general, users can narrow their search to specific dates, booking classes, and even airports. By placing all this functionality within a familiar chat platform, Mildred promises a more user-friendly interface than the often clumsy websites for many airlines.
Branded Airfare Chatbots
Lufthansa's 'Mildred' is Like an Automated Travel Agent
Trend Themes
1. Automated Travel Agents - Creating chatbots that act as automated travel agents can revolutionize the travel industry by providing personalized flight recommendations and booking assistance.
2. Enhanced User Experience - Integrating chatbots like Mildred within familiar platforms such as Facebook Messenger can enhance the user experience of searching for flights and make it more enjoyable for travelers.
3. Personalized Flight Search - Developing chatbots that allow users to customize their flight search criteria, like dates, booking classes, and airports, can cater to individual preferences and provide a more tailored travel experience.
Industry Implications
1. Aviation - The aviation industry can leverage chatbot technology to streamline the flight booking process, provide personalized recommendations, and enhance customer satisfaction.
2. E-commerce - Integrating chatbot assistants within e-commerce platforms can unlock new possibilities in travel bookings and offer a seamless customer journey from browsing to purchasing.
3. Customer Service - Introducing chatbots in the customer service industry can automate travel-related queries, enhance response times, and provide instant support to travelers.