Contactless payments takes to the skies

Contactless payments are taking flight. MasterCard Worldwide said US Airways is the first airline to accept in-flight contactless payments. Passengers can buy food, beverages and other services in-flight by tapping MasterCard PayPass-enabled cards or mobile devices on PayPass-accepting readers. The system uses the transaction processing platform of onboard store technology firm GuestLogix Inc.

Dave Meadon, Group Head of MasterCard's Global Chip Solutions & Engineering, remarked that the contactless payment system allows consumers to travel virtually cash free. MasterCard is targeting PayPass for quick-service restaurants, retail stores, airports, vending machines, taxis and other businesses where payment speed and convenience are priorities.

Hector Adler, US Airways' Vice President of Inflight Services, observed that the solution allows crews to provide faster in-flight food and beverage service. The airline said it will also offer increased transaction limits for signature-less payments.

Brett Proud, GuestLogix President and Chief Executive Officer, is not surprised US Airways, a four-year customer of GuestLogix, became the first airline to adopt the contactless payment technology. "It has been an extremely forward-looking customer," he said.

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