Wow! What a day! Today was one of those were technology just wasn't on my side, and the experience with Air France clearly stood out. I was searching for flight tickets from my phone, expecting it to be a smooth experience (well, if searching for flight tickets could ever be smooth), but instead, I found myself stuck in a digital maze.

It all started when I decided to create an account with Air France. It seemed like a good idea - especially, since my company has a partnership with Air France. The process, as usual, required an email verification. No big deal, right? But while I was fetching the verification code, the website decided to reset. I had to start the entire registration process from scratch: name, date of birth, email, phone number, and all the rest. They almost lost me there.

Okay, maybe websites can have bad days. I figured switching to Air France app might be more stable. So I downloaded the app, entered all my details yet again, and retrieved the verification code. But this time, things went even more frustrating. Pop-ups appearing on the screen, interrupting the flow. Just when I thought I was almost done, the app went into limbo, leaving me nothing but frustration.

This experience is a classic example of how we’ve overcomplicated the digital world. Instead of focusing on making things simple and intuitive, many companies add layers of unnecessary complexity. Too many steps, too many pop-ups, too many things that can go wrong. Too many cookie banners too! It's easy to forget that, more often than not, simple solutions are the best ones. So, next time you’re designing a system, remember: less is often more. Keep it simple, and everyone wins.

PS. And as a bonus. Air France app doesn't trim trailing spaces, which are added automatically by keyboard suggestions on smartphones. This seemingly small oversight leads to repeated errors when entering usernames or passwords. On top of that, the app enforces ridiculous password requirements—demanding a perfect combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols, and a specific length—without any flexibility. These overly strict rules not only make the experience more frustrating but also contribute to the growing complexity that turns a simple task into a cumbersome ordeal.