TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) and ForwardKeys | September 21, 2022
Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) and ForwardKeys are pleased to announce the launch of Destination Gateway, a new data tool designed for destination marketing organizations (DMOs), tourism bureaus and conventions and visitors bureaus. This new product combines ARC’s industry-leading ticketing data with ForwardKeys’ travel search interest, airline schedule and capacity data to provide a comprehensive view of travel to specified destinations.With Destination Gateway, users can gain valuable insights into travel to their destination and similar destinations to better inform decisions and marketing strategies. The data is presented in easy-to-understand visuals that can be exported for presentations and further analysis.
“Destination Gateway is the result of a strong collaboration between two leading air travel data and analytics organizations,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “Nowhere else can destinations generate insights via global air traffic ticketing data, with historical trending and an outlook on future travel and traveler behavior. This comprehensive solution allows users to identify opportunities to influence travel by building relationships with travel sellers to guide them in effectively promoting their destination.”
Users can customize their Destination Gateway reports across four modules to provide insights that grow a destination:
Performance – How well a destination is attracting travelers.
Recovery – Comparing today’s travel levels with pre-COVID-19 levels.
Connectivity – Data designed to help with negotiations with airlines.
Agencies – Insight into which agencies sell travel to a particular destination.
“We are very excited with the launch of Destination Gateway in the USA – the first tangible outcome, of which we expect there to be many more, of our collaboration with ARC, ForwardKeys has many years of experience serving and supporting tourism-related businesses and enjoys strong market leadership with over 60 DMO-related customers throughout Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific. We look forward to working with ARC to bring data insights and intelligence from Destination Gateway to ARC customers in the USA.”
-Olivier Jager, chief executive officer at ForwardKeys.
About ARC
ARC accelerates the growth of global air travel by delivering forward-looking travel data, flexible distribution services and other innovative industry solutions. We are a leading travel intelligence company that possesses the world’s largest, most comprehensive global airline ticket dataset, including more than 15 billion passenger flights representing 490 airlines and 230 countries and territories. Our solutions and expertise strengthen economies and enrich lives by connecting stakeholders across the travel ecosystem. For more information, visit arccorp.com.
About ForwardKeys
Founded in 2010, ForwardKeys has pioneered the way forward for tourism organizations, hotels, and retailers keen to understand who is travelling where, when, and for how long. We’ve managed to share such information by having the most comprehensive ticketing data covering the globe from online bookings to travel agencies and airlines. From ticketing data to Seat Capacity and Total Air Market (TAM) the variety of datasets means you get a 360-degree view of the real travel ecosystem. Equipped with historical data, future bookings, and forecasts, planning, even with a pandemic, can be simpler with daily updated data.
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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY,AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
Alaska Airlines | December 01, 2022
Alaska Airlines became the first U.S. airline to launch an electronic bag tag program, which enables guests to tag their luggage through the airline's mobile app before they even reach the airport.
This week, 2,500 Alaska Mileage Plan members will begin receiving their electronic bag tag. Those elite status members included in the first wave of the program are guests who have traveled in the last 12 months, checked-in at least one bag and were among the first to register to use the device."The last thing our guests want to do is stand in line," said Charu Jain, senior vice-president of merchandising and innovation for Alaska. "With the addition of the Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag, our guests can complete almost all of their check-in tasks – from the comfort of their home, at work or on the way to catching their flight."
The three-by-five-inch devices are updated with a guest's flight information through the Alaska Airlines mobile app during check-in; essentially allowing travelers to head straight to the bag drop area once they arrive at the airport.
The Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag is estimated to reduce the time guests spend in airport lobbies by about 40%, including reducing lines and the use of paper bag tags. In addition to the device's impressive lifespan and durability (Alaska Airlines employees tested it by running it over with a truck), the devices don't require charging or batteries.
"We've tested our electronic bag tags on countless flights across the country, including international routes where Alaska Airlines flies, and the devices have performed exactly as they're meant to," said Jain. "We'll collect feedback from our first wave of users before the devices become available to purchase to all our guests early next year."
The Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag will be available for purchase to all guests starting in 2023 and will operate on all Alaska Airlines marketed flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines.
Along with the hardware, the software for the device is provided by BAGTAG, a Dutch company that is a pioneer in the field of baggage technology solutions.
"Alaska Airlines is an excellent example of a carrier on a mission to improve all aspects of their passenger's experience, This vision is leading their choices for innovation such as electronic bag tags and we are very proud to assist them in this project."
-Jaspar Quak, BAGTAG managing director
Click here to check out how the Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag works and join the notification list when the devices become available for purchase.
About BAGTAG
BAGTAG was founded in 2014 in the Netherlands, with the purpose of introducing the world's first flexible and secure electronic bag tag solution. Having developed in close cooperation with the world's leading airlines, the company launched its hardware solution in 2018 and is now leading the market for electronic bag tags.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize low fares and award-winning customer service. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, our guests can travel to more than 900 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for latest news. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.
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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY, AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
T-Mobile | September 26, 2022
Airplane mode has a whole new meaning for T-Mobile customers flying United. Starting eligible T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) customers now get free in-flight Wi-Fi and streaming, where available, on select domestic and short-haul international United flights. As the newest addition to Coverage Beyond — T-Mobile’s latest Un-carrier move — United joins American, Alaska and Delta airlines in providing Un-carrier customers with the ability to text, email, search and stream all flight long where available, now on four of the biggest U.S. airlines.“Now, T-Mobile customers can stay connected from takeoff to landing and beyond on hundreds more flights, now including United Airlines!” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “This latest expansion of Coverage Beyond is all part of our goal to keep customers connected even outside the signal of our network, and we’re on a nonstop mission to find new ways to make that happen.”
After one of the biggest summer travel seasons in recent years, the trend is expected to continue this fall and through the holiday season, with more than a third of Americans planning to take a trip in the next three months. And T-Mobile will take the hassle and worry out of customers’ travel plans, keeping them connected on the road, in the air and overseas.
“Whether it’s for business or leisure, we know staying connected in the air is important, and we’re excited many of T-Mobile’s customers will experience our free inflight Wi-Fi on their phones when flying United,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology. “With the free in-flight coverage, customers can take advantage of Wi-Fi to text their family and friends or browse their favorite sites and apps.”
T-Mobile’s industry-leading travel benefits are just part of what makes now the best time to be a T-Mobile customer. In addition to free Wi-Fi where available and high-speed data abroad, Magenta MAX customers also get Apple TV+ on Us, Netflix on Us, a free year of AAA on Us, Scam Shield Premium and more that adds up to $225 in free perks every month for families – and that’s just a bonus on top of getting access to the nation’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network. At T-Mobile, customers come for the service and stay for the perks – and the Un-carrier won’t stop finding new extras to give them.
As part of Coverage Beyond, customers also get 5GB of free high-speed data each month in 215+ countries and destinations on Magenta MAX, Business Unlimited Ultimate and equivalent Sprint plans. And yes, that includes up to 5G speeds where available. Customers will also get unlimited 256kbps connectivity in all those places, plus free connection all flight long on four eligible flights of their choice per year, with a free hour for every eligible flight after that on Magenta, Business Unlimited Advanced and equivalent Sprint plans. The bottom line? Everyone wins. And this is all in addition to 5GB of high-speed data every month and free calling and texting for Magenta, Magenta MAX and eligible T-Mobile for Business customers in Mexico and Canada.
Coverage Beyond launches on United’s 737s, MAX8s, MAX9s, select 757-300s and select A319s with Wi-Fi supported by Viasat and Thales InFlyt Experience with more flights and Wi-Fi partners to be added soon. To learn more about T-Mobile’s travel benefits, visit t-mobile.com/travel. For more information on T-Mobile for Business travel benefits, head to http://t-mobile.com/business/plans/travel-benefits.
Follow T-Mobile’s Official Twitter Newsroom @TMobileNews to stay up to date with the latest company news.
International Roaming in Simple Global Destinations: Up to 5GB of high-speed data per month with MAX plans; available in 11 European countries with Magenta plans. In-flight Wi-Fi: Unlimited where available on select U.S. airlines with MAX plans; 4 full-flight sessions per year with Magenta plans. 5G: Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com. Fastest: Based on median, overall combined 5G speeds according to analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 5G download speeds for Q2 2022. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission. Most Reliable: According to an audit report conducted by independent third-party umlaut containing crowdsourced data for user experience including task completion collected from November 2021 to May 2022. Full details at: www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/USA.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com.
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