HONOLULU – Further emphasizing its commitment to make flying a hassle-free experience, Hawaiian Airlines announced today it is introducing new onboard technology that will give customers the option to make “cashless” payments for in-flight services.
Hawaiian has teamed up with Abanco International, LLC, of Rosemont, IL, a leading developer of payment processing solutions, to provide a mobile turnkey solution allowing flight attendants to process credit cards, HawaiianMiles awards and coupons for rentals of in-flight movie headsets and digEplayer entertainment systems, and to purchase beverages.
“Allowing customers to make 'cashless' transactions is just the latest innovation that makes travel aboard Hawaiian a more convenient, enjoyable experience,” said Louis Saint-Cyr, Hawaiian's vice president of in-flight services. “This new technology will be especially convenient for families traveling with small kids. Instead of having to look for cash and handle change, payment can be made quickly, easily and without hassle.”
Saint-Cyr added the handheld machines will help ease the job of flight attendants by greatly reducing the need to make change during transactions along with a lot of follow-up paperwork on sales activities. At each flight's conclusion, sales data collected by the machines will be consolidated into an electronic report. Having an immediate record of all in-flight sales will also help Hawaiian's catering department to quickly project inventory needs.
“We're excited to bring Hawaiian Airlines the tools that will truly enhance their in-flight services, while strengthening their customer's experience,” said Tracy Metzger, president and CTO of Abanco.
The new machines will be phased in on all of Hawaiian's transpacific flights during the fourth quarter of this year and appear on interisland flights in early 2006.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Readers of two prominent national travel magazines, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, have both rated Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii in their most recent rankings, and the fifth best domestic airline overall.
Celebrating its 76th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaii's biggest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands, as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA). Additional information is available online at HawaiianAirlines.com.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which are based upon current expectations and estimates and involve material risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.