This article originally appeared in The Technology Issue of APEX Experience. In the 1930s, the airline industry developed the world’s first credit card. Within 10 years, all major 17 American airlines adopted the Air Travel Card, now known as UATP, which was later adopted worldwide. Nearly 30 years later, the airline industry created the world’s […]
Bitcoin, the digital currency, is ready for lift-off. The global provider of point-of-purchase systems (POS) for the airline industry, GuestLogix, is introducing the cryptocurrency to its Transaction Processing Engine® (TPE), software that runs on its handheld terminals, mobile platforms and in-flight entertainment systems, allowing it to be used for in-flight purchases. For a Bitcoin transaction to […]
Back to the Future Part II was set in the year 2015, and while we haven’t quite made it to flying cars, the hubs for our flying machines are moving in a futuristic direction by automating airport restaurants. Thanks to OTG, travel restaurateurs who have upped the ante of the airport dining experience for travelers, […]
At the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Paris this week, Rockwell Collins debuted its new portable check-in desk solution – ARINC vMUSE mobile – which allows agents to register passengers for their flights virtually anywhere. The innovative device consists of little more than a Windows-based tablet and can be enhanced with peripherals such as a portable […]
SITA has introduced its new BagJourney system at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Paris, which will give airlines and airports access to accurate information on the location of passengers’ bags. Harnessing 2.5 billion data messages gathered from 500 airlines and 250 airports around the world through its BagMessage service, SITA makes it possible to track luggage […]
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Especially when “they” are Alaska Airlines travellers making a stop in one of four boardroom lounges equipped with a Popcake Pancake Printer. With the single press of a button the automatic pancake-making machine spurs to life and in moments you’ve got fluffy, delicious pancakes […]
In case you weren’t aware, there are people who take the safety and quality of in-flight meals very seriously – so much so that every year, an award is given to the top airline caterers. The organization behind these awards is Medina Quality, who developed the Quality and Safety Alliance In-flight Services (QSAI) program in 2011 […]
Virgin America has made another tech-forward leap by being the first to adapt Visa Checkout, a simpler and faster way to purchase a flight online without having to enter a 16-digit card number or fill in field after field of personal information. This move coincides with the launch of its new website in 2014, the first […]
Fukushima Wine Jelly Beyond the bright lights of Tokyo, there’s a whole other side to Japan that most travelers don’t get to see… or taste. ANA, Japan’s largest airline, is out to change that with their “Tastes of Japan” program. Launched in September 2013, ANA is shining a delicious spotlight on the lesser-known prefectures of […]
Image via LoopPay It’s the kind of acquisition startup dreams are made of. LoopPay, a digital wallet solution founded in 2012, was acquired this week by Samsung as the tech giant moves toward a mobile payment technology that will compete directly with Apple’s Apple Pay. Although rival companies such as Apple, Google and eBay have already launched their […]