Innovation

This innovative app makes a major contribution to helping an aircraft depart on time. It is a positive development for KLM passengers, for whom punctuality is, of course, important.

All data in one place

A wide variety of checks must be done before an aircraft can depart. Has the catering been loaded? Has the aircraft been fuelled? Are all of the passengers on board? And their luggage? Is the cargo on board? Before Appron existed, a team coordinator had to check numerous different IT systems. Now the app collects all the data in one place on a single iPad. At a glance, the team coordinator can see whether the aircraft is ready for takeoff or whether something or someone is still missing.

One of the app’s creators, KLM Shift Leader Patrick van Exel is enthusiastic about the innovation. “The system really offers a thorough, real-time overview of everything we need to know about the departing aircraft,” he says. “The app works accurately and quickly. I’m very happy with it.” IBM and Apple worked deliberately with the team coordinators to develop and implement the app. The coordinators are still working on new features.

More benefits

The app has even more advantages. If a passenger does not make the flight, the team coordinator gets an overview of the baggage container where the passenger’s baggage is located and that container will not be loaded. This results in less loss of time than having to remove the container later, when it becomes clear that the passenger has definitely missed the flight. The app also shows the layout of the cargo hold. This helps with the most efficient loading of new baggage.

From arrival to departure: how long does a 'turnaround' take? Intern Anne-Linde finds out:

Charity

Running is a popular sport among many of KLM's most loyal customers. Moreover, KLM is committed to the social role of the event, which encourages young and old to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Run in the Sun foundation will link the KLM Curacao Marathon 2015 to Run 4 Books!, a charity which aims to encourage children of primary school age in Curacao to read (or read more) by offering them fun children's books. Runners can make a donation during registration or contribute a new or used children's book at the front desk of participating hotels.

Participants will be able to choose from a variety of distances: a 5 km walk or run, a 10 km walk or run, a half or a whole marathon, or a trail of 10.5 or 16.65 km.

Registering

Runners can sign up online via klmcuracaomarathon.com or through official travel partners in the Netherlands such as Holland Runner, Marathons International, ABC Travel, Corendon and Does & Cadushi. Flying Blue members can purchase starting numbers with Miles (see flyingbluerunning.com/travel/run-and-miles).

The launch of the new app marks a first step in re-defining the KLM digital ecosystem. The apps flat, modular architecture, together with its brand new APIs can be extended to any other digital touch point. This approach enables KLM to offer customers a frictionless and familiar experience – anywhere, anytime, on any device. Moreover, KLM will be able to analyze a customer’s previous behavior and learn about preferences to make a personalized offer e.g. a window seat.

The new KLM smartphone app is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Customers with a KLM or Flying Blue account can find their profile information and all they need to manage their journeys.

To help customers make the most of their journey the app will be subject to continuous improvement focusing on their specific needs and wishes. Later this year, the tablet app will also be developed for Android.

Naturally, this month’s KLM Pack & Go super deals can also be found and booked through the iPad app.

Note: the KLM app for iPad is worldwide available in the App Store in 11 languages (Brazilian Portuguese, traditional and modern Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish)

Download in the App Store and read our KLM Blog.

In addition, KLM will make use of Passbook in its upcoming mobile booking campaign. Mobile bookers will receive a gift voucher for free access of the KLM lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Upon arrival at the airport Passbook will notifty the customer to make use of the voucher.

The app can be downloaded for free in English in the iTunes Store.

See for more details klm.pressdoc.com

The KLM TripShake-app gives the option to select a continent and travel dates. Of course, all options can also remain open. By shaking the phone, one of over 100 destinations will appear. For more suggestions, one can shake the phone again and again, until the perfect destination has been found. Along with the destination, the lowest fare for a return flight will show. The outcome can be shared on social media or the flight can immediately be booked.

“The SkyTeam App confirms SkyTeam’s ongoing commitment to accelerating product and service developments to meet our global travelers’ need for seamless travel”, says Mauro Oretti, SkyTeam’s Vice President Sales and Marketing. “It helps our customers get to where they need to be by providing useful and updated travel information from our members.”
The SkyTeam app for the iPhone and iPad is available for free on the iTunes App Store. Blackberry and Android users will have access to the App within the next two months.

• for the first time ever worldwide, change tickets that can be modified at no extra charge. Passengers can thus adjust their booking and arrange their new flight in just a few clicks, in case of a change in their schedule.

And of course,

• check in, also for all those travelling with them**
• choose their seat on the seat map
• book their Siège Plus for extra legroom (on the Air France mobile site), or a seat in the Economy

Comfort zone (on KLM.com for mobile)

• purchase additional baggage allowance at a discount
• receive their boarding pass by SMS or e-mail, which travellers can either display directly on their mobile phone upon boarding, or print out at the airport
• if they need to, cancel their check-in at any time up to the latest check-in time
• consult real-time flight information from their mobile phone and check the departure terminal, or the exact landing time of a flight
• consult the timetable for the coming year
• and also access Air France, KLM and Flying Blue contact details worldwide

If they need to check details of their booking, customers can enter their booking code or Flying Blue
membership number to access all their flight details.

"This new mobile offer will considerably facilitate every stage of the trip for customers of both airlines,
giving them increased autonomy and ensuring they are better informed at every stage of their trip",
stated Christian Herzog, Senior Vice President Marketing Air France KLM.

Before the end of the year, new services will be available, i.e., ticket reservation, modification of most
ticket types and consultation of interactive frequently asked questions offering rapid responses to
customers' questions.

“With online services that can be accessed via mobile devices, our customers now have more control
over their journey. We are constantly on the lookout for more online products we can offer in this way,
expanding our service to customers. We will add the ability to book a ticket via KLM.com for mobile
later this year", says Martijn van der Zee, Vice President E-commerce Air France KLM.

* Mobile.airfrance.com offers French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. KLM.com for mobile offers Dutch, English and German, while French, Spanish and Italian will soon be added.
** If booked under the same reservation number. Additional information is available on airfrance.com, and KLM.com.