Having led some of the industry’s most significant aircraft interior developments for the likes of Etihad, Delta, and JetBlue, Anthony Harcup joins Teague to help build our growing roster of airline customers. Tasked with further developing the team and enriching industry relationships, he sat down with us to explain why he’s so excited about the future of travel and passenger experience.
How are you enjoying Seattle so far?
I love it. I’ve always wanted to live here since the first time I visited (which is going on fifteen years). Even though it’s a very cosmopolitan and progressive city, the surrounding natural beauty is stunning. Even when you are downtown you're never more than 15 mins from the sea – that has a calming effect on me. I like how infectiously up-beat and positive people here are too – everybody is ‘super-awesome’. It kind of offsets the rain.
What inspired your move to Teague?
A combination of things really. Teague has long been an aspirational brand to me. As far back as my university days I remember it being widely recognized as the cornerstone of a growing design industry – shaping the future in new and exciting ways. Over the last few years I’ve been quietly impressed by Teague's airline work– they have delivered some very sophisticated interiors for major airlines. A chance event last year brought Teague in to sharp focus and what I saw just blew me away. The range and depth of expertise here is staggering, and with cutting-edge digital partners like Microsoft, Amazon and Google I felt quite strongly that I wanted to be part of its story – especially given where the industry is headed.
How will technology like machine learning, and big data improve the passenger experience in the next 5 years?
As airlines begin to utilize A.I. and machine learning to process their passengers’ data, they will be able to create a real-time, fully customized and guided travel experience. The loyalty app will become an intelligent enabling interface more akin to a virtual assistant like Alexa or Cortana, helping to smooth out the journey and provide a reassuring and cohesive thread from the curb to the cabin.
What about virtual/mixed reality?
A truly uncompromised connected experience will allow passengers to engage with their personal data as and when needed, and in a way that does not impede their journey (whether it's email, phone book, texts, apps, video, music, or work). Presently touch screens, laptops, and voice-control require the user to stop and focus on a device, or to speak out loud in public. More immersive and effortless user interfaces will provide the much-needed choice and diversity required in order to be more widely adopted. When AR and VR technology matures and becomes more discreet and commonplace, they will play a huge part in this story.
