Travel sites have been reduced to the lowest common denominator. It's all about the cheapest fares, the cheapest flights, and just enough detail to ensure you don't wind up in some bedbug-infested hell-hotel that classifies "luxury" as running water that's a lighter shade of brown. We need something better. Something that can cut through the cruft, help us define what kind of travel experience we're after, and do it with style.
A design study by Fi – the same firm responsible for the web side of USA Today's redesign – is exactly what we want. While it's aimed at reimagining an airline's web presence, it would be far better served as a template for future travel sites. It's a clean, crisp, clutter-free user interface that has just enough options and information to perfectly tailor your travel plans, but doesn't overwhelm with a multitude of menus and gimmicky graphics. It covers the basics, from round-trip fares to hotel accommodations, but also lets you customize your adventure around your mood. Want to lounge on the Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro? Done. More interested in partying at Ibiza? Just type in the airport or drag your destination icon to Spain.
Partner all that with beautiful imagery, comprehensive destination information with integrated maps and city guides that allow you to explore before you book, and a slick interface to deal with the mundane tasks of checking in and seat selection, and you've got the travel site of the future. We want. Desperately.
