Southwest Passengers Can Use Apple Pay For Flights

Travel commerce and payments firm CellPoint Digital and the airline-owned payment network UATP are in a deal with Southwest to let customers buy tickets and other services using Apple Pay, CellPoint said in a press release on Wednesday (Sept. 4).

“Providing modern digital payment solutions to our customers is critical,” said Christopher Priebe, director of treasury, payments and risk at Southwest Airlines. “The launch of Apple Pay enhances our ability to sell flights, as well as ancillary products using one of the most widely-used digital wallets in North America.”

CellPoint Digital teamed with UATP to offer travelers more payment solutions and services.

“We are delighted to partner with a leader like Southwest Airlines, to help boost their digital payment capability and improve their conversion and payment acceptance rates. This is another key milestone in our international expansion,” said Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital. “Together with our strategic partner UATP, we are providing a unique solution that enables airlines to fast-track the launch of alternative forms of payment with minimal development on their side. This is how technology should always be: fast and efficient.”

There are over 350 partners, including major global wallets like Apple Pay, Visa Checkout, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Google Pay or Paytm, along with bank transfers, installments and cash-based payment options, the release said.

“Southwest is a wonderful first reference for our fast-moving partnership with CellPoint Digital,” said Ralph A. Kaiser, president and CEO of UATP. “Our joint solution is unique, cost- and time-efficient, and allows our UATP airline members to deploy the alternative forms of payment they need in each of their markets. We are obviously thrilled and honored to deliver this solution for these two iconic brands.”

CellPoint Digital was formed as a rebranding of CellPoint Mobile and has a new website and product offerings. Catering to travelers who use multiple devices to make bookings and payments, CellPoint Digital offers two omnichannel travel platforms that let travel merchants move across mobile apps, web-based apps, helplines and websites.