KLM's first iPad app leaned on social media users and frequent fliers to deliver a comprehensive app that includes trip management, with boarding pass and seat selection, alongside interactive flight search and purchasing.
This interactive component is where the app truly shines: integrated 3D mapping technology allows users to spin the globe and zoom in on specific destinations to purchase tickets.
The prices appear first on a country-by-country basis, and after the user clicks on the icon, the app zooms into the chosen country to show prices for individual cities. In addition to country-specific searches, the app's filters can be used to narrow down searches according to length of flight, climate, and trip themes.
In true KLM fashion, the beauty about KLM's first foray into iPad app world is the social integration. This is not surprising for such a socially-focused brand, and the feature delivers a fantastically addictive way to search for travel.
Login to Facebook, and watch as the world populates with friends, each of which can be tapped to see about booking a ticket. Obviously not every destination has a connecting possibility via KLM; nonetheless, the mental logistics are quite satisfying for the travel lover.
Here's KLM's video showing the app's functionality:
In the announcement, Air France KLM's SVP of E-Commerce Martijn van der Zee, shared more about how the app was developed:
The app is developed with the assistance of international experts in the field of travel and design and a selected group of KLM social media followers. They have helped in enriching core functionalities and improving the app's usability. Of course, we also involved frequent flyers to make it a true custom-made app that meets the requirements of our customers.
KLM's Lizet Menke is the product manager behind the airline's first iPad app, and she posted this video to the company's blog announcing the app:
An Android version of the app is coming up later this year.