Joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines
Frankfurt, 12. December 2018 – No longer at the push of a button, but on call: SunExpress is the world’s first airline to offer its customers the option of booking flights by voice command via Amazon Alexa. In addition to conventional booking processes, customers can now use SunExpress’ Alexa Skill to request flights by voice and book their desired connection. Payments are conveniently handled via Amazon Pay. The innovative booking solution will be expanded successively in the coming months.
“We are proud to announce that SunExpress is the world’s first airline to offer a language-based booking option,” stated Peter Glade, Commercial Director for SunExpress. “As a pioneer in this field of application, we are actively promoting digital change in the travel segment.”
Customers can now easily purchase SunExpress flights via Amazon Alexa using voice command. Thanks to Amazon Pay, there is no need to create a new account, since customers can easily pay with the information already stored on their Amazon account. All they have to do is activate language purchase in the Alexa App and grant the SunExpress Skill the right to use Amazon Pay as the standard payment method. After receiving final confirmation by the account owner, Alexa automatically places the booking and proceeds with the payment. To ensure security throughout the booking and payment process, data can be protected using a four-digit code. Directly after the booking, customers receive a booking confirmation via e-mail. All relevant booking information can also be viewed in the Alexa App.
The Darmstadt-based software company InteRES was significantly responsible for the development of the Alexa Skill and its interface to the SunExpress booking platform, as well as the integration of Amazon Pay. “Airlines must adapt their distribution technology to the fast-changing expectations of their customers,” emphasized Alexander Graf von Bernstorff, Director Airline Solutions at InteRES. “Our Airline Retail Engine overcomes technological limitations of the past and enables modern, digital retailing across multiple channels – as we demonstrate here with Amazon Alexa.”
In addition to voice-based ticket booking for account owners of the linked Amazon account, further booking options will be developed in the upcoming months and successively made available in the Alexa Skill of SunExpress.
About SunExpress:
As a holiday specialist, SunExpress has been offering non-stop connections between Europe and Türkiye (Turkey) as well as to attractive holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Red Sea and North Africa for almost 30 years. The route network includes over 90 international destinations in 30 countries. With its fleet of modern B737-800 NG aircraft, the joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines operates 1,800 weekly flights and carried almost ten million passengers in 2018. The airline, which has received numerous awards for its service, offers a comfortable flight experience at a low-cost price. For all SunExpress flights from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, holiday seekers can select hotels and local transport options at www.sunexpress.com under the SunExpress Holidays category and create an individual holiday package with just one click.
About Amazon Pay:
With Amazon Pay, millions of customers worldwide can easily shop through their Amazon account on your website or in your app. We offer customers the familiar and proven Amazon shopping experience. Customers can conveniently shop and pay without leaving your site – and without creating a new account. With Amazon Pay for Alexa Skills, merchants can streamline online shopping and enable their customers to make smooth purchases via Alexa. This opens up entirely new opportunities for multi-channel transactions, including voice, store, mobile and social media shopping.
About InteRES:
InteRES GmbH is one of the leading technology providers in the tourism industry and based in Darmstadt. Its international customers – well-known tour operators, travel agency chains and airlines – benefit from tailor-made multi-host solutions, with a strong focus on flights. InteRES also develops software-based solutions for all types of airlines to personalize their offer generation in an NDC-driven world and provides consulting services to airlines in all questions that arise on their way to becoming retailers.
Press contact SunExpress:
Franziska Köhler | Nathalie Thomsen
Wilde & Partner Public Relations
Tel. +49 89 – 17 91 90 – 55
[email protected]
www.wilde.de