How Next Generation Apps Are Developed
17 November , 2015

Technology innovation is all about collaboration. As a service provider, we have access to all sorts of information and tools. And there is a whole world of developers out there, constantly coming up with new and fascinating ways of using our data.

That’s why we have delved into the world of APIs. We’ve teamed up with Developer.aero, the SITA API platform, so that developers can use SITAONAIR’s inflight connectivity as the basis for new applications for both passengers and airlines.
The API is designed to encobeacons_wifi_inflight_connectivityurage inflight Wi-Fi usage by enabling airlines, GDSs and other agents to sell Wi-Fi sessions as part of the booking process and also during the flight. The Inflight Wi-Fi Voucher API provides a promotional code which the passenger uses to activate the Internet session once they are on the plane.

It is connected to a second API, which uses beacon technology at the airport and on the aircraft to remind passengers to buy Wi-Fi credit or to activate their credit. One element we particularly like is that notifications can be triggered on the airline’s app, so the passenger has just one interface.

We have already participated to three hackathons this last quarter of the year: two in Singapore, run by Changi Airport and Singapore Airlines, and the Tnooz/IATA hackathon in Hamburg. It’s great to see the creativity, imagination and inventiveness on display as hundreds of developers and students work together. And the results give us a thought-provoking glimpse into the future.

At the Singapore Airlines event, for example, the first, second and third winning entries were inflight apps aiming both to enhance the passenger experience and help the cabin crew. They all rely on the airline’s inflight Wi-Fi connectivity provided by SITAONAIR. The overall winning app is a good example of how to support both passengers and the airline: it gave passengers the ability to order and pay for inflight services at the same time as analyzing passenger demographics. This is exactly the balance we’re looking for.

We always aim to be on the edge of innovation so it’s really exciting to see these developers at work. We learnt a lot – there is always a lot to learn. Our job now is to work with the Developer.aero team to develop new APIs for the next hackathons and industry opportunities ahead. I can’t wait to see what people come up with.