This is a roundup for product news and announcements for travel DEVICES in tourism and hospitality for October 2016.
Monday 31 October 2016:
EZee Technosys put PMS on mobile
- The India-based technology provider has placed its property management system for hotels onto an application for Android and Apple-run devices. Hoteliers will be able to track bookings, handle room distribution, and other PMS-type services from their handset.
Wednesday 26 October 2016:Emirates connects with Thales for 777s
- The airline's new fleet of Boeing 777sXs will feature the Thales Avant in-flight entertainment system, beginning with 50 aircraft due for delivery in 2020. A further 100 planes will also be fitted with the system.
AirFi secures
Nesma Airlines deal
- Passengers will be able to connect to the AirFi IFE system via their own devices, accessing content, maps and other services. Nesma Airlines's Airbus A320 aircraft will be the recipient of the system of domestic routes in Saudi Arabia and flights in the Middle East region.
Tuesday 25 October 2016:Air India overhauls mobile app
- The carrier's mobile application, available on Android, Apple and Windows devices, was developed by SITA on its iTravel platform. The app allows users to search, book and pay for flights (using scanning tech for credit cards and passports), as well as the ability to access and redeem points through the Air India loyalty scheme.
APEX gets reviews from
TripIt- The Airline Passenger Experience Association will work with the travel itinerary app to gather reviews for a new Official Airline Ratings programme. The review collection will take place between November and July next year.
Monday 24 October 2016:British Airways has Apple Pay
- Passengers using the BA mobile application can now book a flight using the Apply Pay service. The new version of the airline's app also has the ability for passengers to access promotional upgrade offers.
Hotelogix puts app in control
- The company's property management system will be available on both Android and Apple operating systems, giving users the ability to handle check-ins, check-outs, reservations and auditing on-the-go. Front desk staff will also be able to use the app to scan customer IDs for placing into the PMS.
Wednesday October 2016:AccorHotels powers up app with LinkedIn service
- AccorHotels has partnered with LinkedIn to enable business travel guests to see which contacts are based in the same city via the hotel group's app. The functionality, called Business Check, also suggests other potential contacts that might be relevant.
Friday 14 October 2016:Allianz has app smarts
- The insurance and travel assistance service has upgraded its Android mobile application, bringing it alongside changes to its iOS service from earlier this year. The TravelSmart app now includes real-time flight tracking, health services, first aid translation and customer services from the Allianz team.
Wednesday 12 October 2016:OpenKey upgrades app
- The hotel mobile key provider has released version 3.5.1 of its application, available for both iOS and Android devices. New features include shared guest access tools, email verification and new chat functionality for customers travelling in groups.
AirPortr signs
BA deal
- The agreement with British Airways will allow passengers to check in their luggage from any London address and then travel, luggage-free, to the departure airport and collect their bags at the destination. The facility will be available for bookings on flights after 26 October 2016.
Monday 10 October 2016:Trainline targets business travellers
- The train ticket seller has launched business profiles with its mobile application so that users can plan and manage their leisure and business trips separately. Business bookings can be billed to a corporate account and also multiple users and their bookings can be managed from a single point on a web portal.
Friday 7 October 2016:Air New Zealand opens up wifi
- Flights between Australia and New Zealand will be the first to receive the service, provided by Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics. Tasman, Pacific Island and other long-haul routes will follow in 2017, with domestic flights slated for the following year.
Thursday 6 October 2016:Egencia on Apple Watch
- The corporate travel agency's application for Apple Watch devices allows users to check for real-time travel information, maps and directions, and search for ground transportation services. Other features include integration with the Egencia AssistMe service, the ability to contact a travel consultant and book Uber cars.
Monday 3 October 2016:Sabre integrates TripCase with SynXis
- Reservations made through SynXis will automatically populate the TripCase messaging service, giving hoteliers the ability to contact travellers with personalised offers and notifications to business travellers.
NB: Travel devices image via
Jesusanz/BigStock.