Farelogix and Mobiata Partner to Deliver Airline Merchandising on Mobile Devices
MIAMI, FL and ANN ARBOR, MI, February 2, 2010 – Farelogix, a leading provider of distribution technology and services for the travel industry, and Mobiata, a leading provider of best-selling mobile travel applications, today announced a partnership to deliver advanced airline merchandising capabilities to mobile devices, beginning with iPhone and Android smartphones, and soon followed by Blackberry devices. Through this collaboration, airlines can market and sell ancillary products and services to on-the-go air travelers via their mobile phones.
Mobiata integrated FMS2™ – the flexible Farelogix merchandising solution that manages how airline offerings are branded and sold – into its best-selling FlightTrack and TripDeck travel applications. With the combined solution, airlines can activate the merchandising features in Mobiata’s applications to provide travelers with timely offers based on passenger location or at other points during the purchase and itinerary review process. For example, travelers with carry-on luggage could receive priority boarding offers while en route to the airport; while travelers that either missed a flight or are experiencing weather delays can receive an offer for a day pass to the airline lounge.
“Airline merchandising is not new, but this growing phenomenon of airlines selling more than just seats has now gone mobile to address both buying behavior and demand,” said Jim Davidson, CEO of Farelogix.
“Consumers generally make their airline reservations through a travel agency, online travel site or corporate booking tool where the lowest overall cost is a primary requirement,” said Ben Kazez, President of Mobiata. “Many travelers would welcome access to a new world of convenience and add-on choices available directly from their mobile device prior to departure.”
According to Kazez, until now, ancillary services have been limited to check-in kiosks or airline websites. With the combination of merchandising technology from Farelogix and Mobiata’s mobile applications, ancillary services from participating airlines will be available on-demand for travelers on their mobile phones, regardless of their location.
Airlines can offer individual travelers a variety of add-on services, such as seat upgrades, priority boarding, checked bag, a meal, in-flight entertainment, Internet access, airline lounge access, and more at timely intervals after a flight has been booked, but before travel takes place. These services can be specially priced or “bundled” for the airlines’ most valued frequent flyers, while occasional travelers can pay a small premium to be treated like a frequent flyer.
“It all comes down to providing choices to travelers, and making the process easy and accessible,” explained Davidson. “Farelogix is known for making airline merchandising technology work for the airlines, and Mobiata is the leading developer of easy-to-use mobile applications. It’s an unbeatable combination in providing airline merchandising options to the traveling public.”
Airline merchandising will be available on FlightTrack, which offers unlimited real-time commercial flight tracking and flight status updates all over the world, and TripDeck, which enables complete itinerary management for virtually every component of a business or personal trip. “We designed both FlightTrack and TripDeck to provide a convenient tool to track and manage travel details from the road, which makes integration of airline merchandising a natural fit for both apps,” added Kazez.
Farelogix makes these new mobile merchandising capabilities available to any airline utilizing its XML direct connect adapter and/or airlines using the Farelogix FMS2 (Flight Merchandising System) with its XML or website.
About Farelogix
Farelogix is a leading provider of lower-cost, high-value distribution and optimization technology to the global travel industry. Farelogix counts among its customers some of the largest travel companies in the world. Farelogix is a privately held company with offices in Toronto, Canada and Miami, Florida. For additional information, visit www.farelogix.com.
About Mobiata
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mobiata creates best-selling mobile travel applications. Mobiata’s FlightTrack app has topped the iPhone Travel bestseller list ever since the product’s launch in November 2008. Mobiata’s FlightTrack Pro seamlessly synchronizes TripIt flight itineraries. Mobiata’s HotelPal enables users to browse and search from hotels worldwide with live availability and rates. Since its founding in December 2008, Mobiata applications have been featured by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Forbes, Washington Post, TechCrunch, USA Today, Macworld, PC Magazine, and in Apple TV and print ads. Mobiata offers mobile travel design and development services, enabling third parties to drive their projects to success. For more information, visit www.mobiata.com.
# # #Latest Press
“FlightTrack: A Visual Record of Beautiful Software”
Well-Placed Pixels Mar 03 2010
“TripDeck: Great application for globe-trotters…well thought out and well designed.”
Vous et Votre Mac Mar 2010
“HotelPal: A great way to avoid endless drives searching for vacancy signs.”
AskMen.com Feb 25 2010
“Quick grasp of flight delays.”
Los Angeles Times | Travel Feb 22 2010
“FlightTrack: 10 iPhone Business Apps That Should Be on iPad”
eWeek Feb 04 2010
“If you fly a lot, [FlightTrack] is the app for you!”
LaComunidad: Digital Re|Evolution Newsletter 6:12
“TripDeck is BEAUTIFUL.”
Best App Site Feb 15 2010
“Very useful.”
OZCARGuide Feb 12 2010
“The only flight app you need…best in its class.”
ZDNet Feb 09 2010
“Indispensable.”
The Apple Blog Feb 08 2010
“Mobiata’s TripDeck: Beautiful Software”
Well-Placed Pixels Feb 07 2010
“Farelogix and Mobiata Partner to Deliver Airline Merchandising on Mobile Devices”
Mobiata Press Feb 02 2010
“Mobiata, Farelogix partner for mobile airline merchandising”
Mobile Commerce Daily Feb 02 2010
“Two US airlines taking seat upgrades to mobile apps through Farelogix, Mobiata”
Tnooz Feb 01 2010
“Apple’s iPad opens door for Ann Arbor software developers”
AnnArbor.com Jan 27 2010
“Apple’s Tablet: App Makers Target Business Use”
BusinessWeek/MSNBC.com Jan 26 2010
“Why Apple’s tablet could boost Ann Arbor region’s software industry”
AnnArbor.com Jan 27 2010
“You need to check out FlightTrack.”
Android Central Jan 26 2010
“FlightTrack Android: The ideal air travel companion.”
Android Software Jan 13 2010
“Mobiata at 2010 CES”
bnetTV.com Jan 07 2010
“A must have for business professionals who happen to travel a lot.”
iPhone Apps Finder Jan 04 2010
“My Favorite 14 Apps of 2009”
New York Times - Gadgetwise Jan 04 2010
“Passing Time at the Airport”
CNN Newsroom Jan 02 2010
“This app does it all for the weariest traveler...works great.”
Crazy Mike’s Apps Jan 03 2010
“A must-have program for frequent travelers.”
TUAW Dec 29 2009
“100 Greatest iPhone Apps of 2009”
Mac|Life Dec 31 2009
“How to Travel Stress Free”
Simple Mobile Review Dec 29 2009
“Top Five iPhone Apps...elegantly designed interface”
Cool Hunting Dec 28 2009
“One of my favorite iPhone apps…invariably helpful…one you shouldn’t miss.”
The Telecom Blog Dec 28 2009
“Stay up to date on your flight’s status with FlightTrack.”
David Pogue, New York Times Holiday 2009
“The tool I happen to like best for sussing out available hotel rooms in any given location”
Wendy Perrin, Condé Nast Traveler Dec 21 2009
“11 crucial iPhone travel apps”
CNN Dec 20 2009
“The Flight Before Christmas”
New York Times Dec 20 2009
“The best holiday iPhone apps.”
CNN Fortune Dec 14 2009
“Must-Have iPhone Travel Apps”
Forbes Dec 10 2009
“Top 10 iPhone Apps of 2009 — The ultimate app for checking itineraries and tracking flights.”
TIME Magazine Dec 08 2009
“Fantastic.”
Gadling Dec 08 2009
“A minor masterpiece...brilliant.”
David Pogue, New York Times Nov 30 2009
“Why rush out the door if my flight is already delayed?”
Practical Traveler, New York Times Nov 23 2009
“FlightTrack...is a lot cooler than what I’ve been doing.”
David Pogue, New York Times Nov 04 2009
