Finnair is trialling Alipay for onboard payments.
The airline is to introduce onboard the world´s largest online payment platform on its route between Helsinki and Shanghai.
In addition, the Finnair lounge in the non-Schengen area at Helsinki Airport will also accept Alipay.
Passengers will be able to make payments for inflight purchases such as tax free items or buy themselves an Economy Comfort seat through the app by scanning a QR code.
Alipay, the world´s largest online payment platform, has over 450 million active users in China and is used by over 60 % of Chinese people traveling abroad. Helsinki Airport has adopted ePassi-Alipay for some selected shops and sales outlets, which has made payment more convenient for many people passing through.
Alipay will first be made available for a month on a trial basis, and decisions on future rollouts will be made after the trial period.
Katri Harra-Salonen, Finnair’s Chief Digital Officer:
“Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by digitalization is an integral part of Finnair’s accelerated growth strategy. The introduction of Alipay onboard is part of our commitment to continuously develop a better travel experience for our customers and to enhance the customer experience with digital solutions.
“As the number of travelers grows between Asia and Northern Europe, the need for a familiar and convenient payment platform has never been greater. This new partnership with Alipay will help Chinese travelers to make payments onboard in a very convenient manner, through a system that is both fast and familiar to them.”
Finnair´s flights between Helsinki and Shanghai are operated with the Airbus A350. Finnair’s entire long-haul fleet will be Wi-Fi enabled in the spring of 2017. Wi-Fi connectivity on board will also bring new opportunities to develop the in-flight customer experience with enhanced shopping and entertainment opportunities.
Finnair is partnering with Finland´s leading e-payment platform ePassi to offer Alipay as an official payment method onboard flights connecting Shanghai and Helsinki.
About Finnair
Finnair is the largest airline in Finland. It’s main hub is Helsinki Airport.
Routes: Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with an emphasis on fast connections via Helsinki, and connecting 17 cities in Asia with more than 60 destinations in Europe.
Fleet: Six Airbus A350-900, five AirbusA340-300, eight A330-300, eleven AirbusA321, ten AirbusA320, nine A319, twelve EmbraerE190. Five more A350-XWB are expected by end 2017.
Passengers: Just over 10.3 million in 2015
Alliance: oneworld
N.B. Image credit: Airbus
