Alaska Airlines has partnered with Stripe to unveil a new payment system that will transform how in-flight purchases are processed. The introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone enables crew members to carry out transactions seamlessly on their airline-issued devices, marking a significant step towards enhancing passenger experience during flights.
"We are motivated to make our employees' lives at work easier by deploying innovative technology," said Patrick O’Brien, managing director of product development at Alaska Airlines. With this advancement, the airline claims to be the first in the industry to adopt contactless payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone for their entire fleet.
The innovative solution allows over 7,000 crew members to accept payments for food and beverages directly on their iPhones, eliminating the need for separate card readers or terminals. This not only simplifies the process but also allows crew members to focus more on customer service rather than navigating complex technological setups.
Before the rollout of Tap to Pay on iPhone, in-flight payments could only be processed using a separate card swiper, which did not support contactless transactions. Now, crew members will leverage the existing iPhones used for various in-flight tasks—such as monitoring seat assignments and dietary preferences—to complete purchases.
"As someone who spends a lot of time in the air and always keeps their phone within reach, I’m thrilled to see Alaska Airlines roll out Tap to Pay on iPhone," said Eileen O’Mara, chief revenue officer at Stripe. O’Mara noted that this initiative greatly reduces the need for unnecessary hardware, allowing payment processing to stay streamlined and efficient during flights.
Tap to Pay uses Stripe Terminal technology, which includes a suite of APIs and SDKs designed to facilitate in-person payments. This allows passengers to use their iPhone, Apple Watch, or any compatible smartphone to pay via their preferred digital wallets, or with contactless debit or credit cards.
The rollout of Tap to Pay on iPhone will commence on select flights and is expected to be available throughout Alaska Airlines’ fleet in the coming months. This significant technological upgrade not only modernizes the payment landscape for the airline but also prepares them for evolving consumer preferences in contactless transactions.
As Alaska Airlines continues to innovate in the air travel space, this partnership with Stripe is poised to enhance passenger convenience and operational efficiency. With seamless payment processing now at their fingertips, both flight attendants and travelers can look forward to a smoother in-flight experience. This initiative underscores the ongoing trend of integrating technology into the airline industry, setting a new standard for what passengers can expect when they fly.