PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading the way for the next-generation of in-flight payment acceptance, MasterCard has taken contactless payments 30,000 feet off the ground. The Company today announced US Airways has become the first airline in the world to accept MasterCard PayPass™ -enabled cards and devices for in-flight purchases. Enabled by GuestLogix (TSX:GXI), the travel industry’s leader in onboard retail technology, US Airways passengers can now buy food, beverages and other services by simply tapping their MasterCard PayPass-enabled card and devices helping to speed up transaction times and provide increased convenience.
“MasterCard has been at the forefront of contactless payment innovations, bringing the convenience and speed of PayPass technology to environments where faster transactions are essential for both consumers and merchants,” said Dave Meadon, group head of Global Chip Solutions & Engineering, MasterCard. ”With the broad acceptance of electronic payments, consumers today can travel virtually cash free, eliminating the hassle of carrying cash and without having to fumble through their wallet or purse for exact change.”
“At US Airways, we are always looking for ways to enhance the service we provide to our customers,” said Hector Adler, vice president, Inflight Services for US Airways. “With this new solution, our crew has the technology they need to provide faster service for our MarketPlace® onboard offerings of food, drinks & more.”
With a finite period of time available for Flight Attendants to offer food, beverage or service of other retail offerings onboard, enabling MasterCard PayPass™ acceptance will quicken the time it takes to process card payments in-flight.
“US Airways has been an extremely forward-looking customer throughout our four-year relationship, so it comes as no surprise that they were the first to adopt this new technology,” said GuestLogix President & CEO, Brett Proud. “Contactless payments are ideal for both passenger and Flight Attendant convenience as the transaction time is significantly reduced when using MasterCard PayPass.”
With MasterCard PayPass, US Airways passengers simply tap their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card or device on a PayPass-accepting reader. US Airways can offer its passengers the convenience of faster transaction times and increased limits for signature-less transactions. MasterCard PayPass is particularly useful within several merchant categories where speed and convenience are essential, such as quick-service restaurants, retail, airports, vending machines, and taxis.
For more information MasterCard’s PayPass technology visit: http://www.paypass.com/
About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com,is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.
About US Airways
US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates nearly 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide, operates the world’s largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,500 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 193 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix, and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.