AR technology next step on Messenger

Earlier this year, Messenger announced that it would make AR technology available in closed beta on its platform. KLM is now one of the few companies worldwide to build an experience using AR in Messenger. KLM will continue to develop and improve the service in the future, so that it grows in line with the latest AR technology available.

To try the new experience, go to KLM on Messenger. You can find the AR hand baggage check in the menu under Plan & Book.

The video below shows how the AR hand baggage check works.

BB service on the Google Assistant based on artificial intelligence
KLM’s Blue Bot is based on artificial intelligence, which is linked to a combination of KLM and external technologies. BB is self-learning and has her own personality: helpful, friendly, professional, and edgy. The more you use her, the smarter and more personal she becomes. BB was already able to assist with the booking of a ticket through Messenger (in English) and the packing of a suitcase on the Google Assistant (in English). Now she can be used to search for a flight through the Google Assistant in both English and Dutch. BB will offer more and more services on this voice-activated platform and other social media channels in the coming period.

The Google Assistant in phased roll-out
The Dutch Google Assistant will be rolled out in phases by Google in the coming period. This assistant helps users find answers more quickly - hands free - and to get things done faster. The Dutch version is currently only available for the Google Assistant on smartphones and tablets. This will later be expanded to include other mobile devices such as Google’s speaker, the Google Home. The English language version has already been around for some time.

KLM on social media
Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25M fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 180,000 mentions every week, 35,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 300 service agents, who form the world’s largest and dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, WeChat, and KakaoTalk, KLM offers her customers 24/7 service in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, 7 days per week, KLM also offers services in Italian. KLM was the first airline in the world to offer passengers the option of receiving their flight documents and status updates on WhatsApp, Messenger and Twitter. It was also the first Western airline to offer this on the Chinese platform WeChat.

AI system gets smarter over time

KLM has been using AI provided by DigitalGenius, which now supports over 50% of all inquiries, for a year and-a-half. When agents need to answer questions, AI provides them with a possible answer. The AI system learns from the service agent’s actions and gets smarter over time. Until now, the agents had to decide if the proposed answer suits the question, adjust the answer if necessary and send it to the appropriate social media channel. With the high volumes of customer questions that the AI system has handled, KLM is now able to automate the answers to the most common questions on any subject without the interference of a human service agent. With the help of this next step in social media, KLM service agents have more time to focus on questions that require a human approach.

About KLM and Social Media

Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 130,000 mentions every week, 30,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 250 service agents, who form the world’s largest, dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, WeChat and KakaoTalk, KLM offers her customers 24/7 service in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, 7 days per week, KLM also offers services in Italian. Recently KLM added BB, short for Blue Bot, to her servicing family, who can help you book a ticket on Messenger and pack your bag on Google Home. KLM was the world’s first airline to offer customers the option of receiving flight documents and status updates via WhatsApp, Messenger, and Twitter and the first Western airline on WeChat in China.

About DigitalGenius

DigitalGenius brings practical applications of deep learning and artificial intelligence into customer service operations of leading companies. Its Human+AI™ Customer Service Platform combines the best of human and machine intelligence enabling companies to deliver on increasing customer expectations. At its core are deep learning algorithms, which are trained on historical customer service data and integrated directly into the contact center’s existing software. Once enabled, the platform automates and increases the quality and efficiency of customer service & support conversations across text-based communication channels like email, chat, social media, SMS and mobile messaging.

The small-scale pilot will be available in Japan, South Korea and South Africa, with agents communicating in Japanese, Korean and English. Customers can use Messenger customer chat via a ‘chat now’ button that will appear on relevant KLM.com pages when a service agent is available. The pilot will serve to guide further roll-out of the service in the future. In six Western European countries, KLM already has a direct chat service via KLM.com, available via the website itself. The new chat service via Messenger is a next step in KLM’s social media integration.

KLM social media pioneer

KLM is the world’s first airline offering customers the option of receiving travel documentation and flight status updates via WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter and/or WeChat. Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as a pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has more than 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. KLM is mentioned more than 130,000 times a week on these platforms, of which 25,000 are questions, which receive personal replies from more than 250 service agents – the world’s largest social media team. KLM offers customers 24/7 support via WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk (South Korea) in nine different languages and in Italian during office hours.

About KLM and Social Media

Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation for being a pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions every week, 16,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 250 service agents, who form the world’s largest, dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk, KLM offers its customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, KLM also offers services in Italian. KLM was the world’s first airline to offer customers the option of receiving flight documents and status updates via WhatsApp, Messenger and Twitter, and the first Western airline to offer this via WeChat.

bb.klm.com

KLM flight info easy to find through verified WhatsApp account

Offering flight information to customers through a verified WhatsApp business account makes information easy to access in a single place, making it available at the airport, en route or at home. Customers can also directly contact KLM’s social media service agents, 24/7, via WhatsApp. The service is available to customers who book tickets or check in via KLM.com and opt-in to receive information via WhatsApp.

Secure messages

Messages are secure so that they can only be read by the customer and KLM, and no one else, not even WhatsApp. Customers can easily recognise verified businesses using the official WhatsApp business application. This means that customers will see a green checkmark badge next to the KLM contact name on WhatsApp.

KLM and Social Media

Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions every week, 15,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 250 service agents, who form the world’s largest, dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk (Korean), KLM offers her customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, KLM also offers services in Italian. KLM was the world’s first airline to offer customers the option of receiving flight documents and status updates via Messenger, Twitter and WeChat.

Paying for a KLM ticket has become simple: once a passenger booked a ticket on KLM.com via desktop, and chooses WeChat as the preferred payment option, a QR code appears. Users scan this code which refers them to WeChat Pay, the money is amortized and a successful payment is done. If a customer booked a ticket on mobile or via the WeChat app, and chooses WeChat as the preferred payment option, the customer is automatically referred to WeChat Pay and able to pay for the ticket easily. Users need to bind their bankcard only once to use WeChat Pay.

KLM on WeChat
KLM opened a WeChat account in 2014 offering her Chinese passengers service, brand content and commercial offers via the platform. Since May 2017, KLM customers have the choice to receive their booking confirmation, check-in notification, boarding pass and flight status updates via WeChat. So far nearly 25% of all Chinese KLM customers booking online, receive their flight info via WeChat. KLM gets over 8000 servicing questions a week, mainly in Simplified Chinese.

About KLM and Social Media
Since 2009 KLM gained a reputation as an initiator and pioneer in the area of social media services and campaigns in the social landscape. In April 2017, KLM had over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions every week, 15,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally replied to by 250 service agents, forming the world’s largest dedicated social media team. On Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk (Korean) KLM offers her customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in 9 different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours KLM also services in Italian. KLM was the first airline worldwide to offer customers the option to receive flight documents and status updates via Messenger. KLM also offers this service on Twitter and WeChat.

Floor plan
The Schiphol Airport Map consists of a floor plan featuring all the different gates. All sorts of other KLM facilities are also marked on the map, including check-in desks, lounges, kiosks and transfer desks. Passengers will also find general Schiphol facilities on the map, including toilets, shops, workspaces and meditation areas.

How does it work?
The passenger’s location is marked as a dot on the floor plan, making it easy for them to judge how far they are from their gate. The dot is only visible to the app user and is not shared via social media. The service will initially be rolled out in the KLM App (iOS systems only), Messenger, Twitter and WeChat. The service will be made available on these platforms over the next few weeks. For more information, please visit airportmaps.klm.com.

KLM on social media and mobile devices
Since 2009, KLM has built a reputation as a pioneer and trendsetter in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has more than 25 million fans and followers on various social media (figures from June 2017). Via Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk, KLM receives more than 100,000 notifications a week, 16,000 of which are queries or remarks. These are all answered personally 24/7, in nine different languages, by our social media team, which consists of 250 agents, making it the biggest in the world.

The KLM app has been downloaded 2 million times on iOS and Android systems. Every day, around 85,000 people access the app, which can be used to book a flight, check in online, download a boarding pass, reserve a seat, and receive the latest flight updates. The app aims to ensure greater comfort for passengers before, during and after their trip.

KLM on Twitter and WeChat

KLM has over 2.2 million fans on Twitter and receives more than 25,000 mentions on a weekly basis. In September 2014, KLM started her WeChat account, offering passengers 24/7 service, brand content and commercial offers. WeChat is the no. 1 social media platform in Mainland China with 938 million monthly active users. KLM has over 120,000 fans and receives over 6000 questions a week, which shows that Chinese customers appreciate this platform to communicate with KLM.

KLM on Messenger

Last year, KLM introduced the KLM flight info service via Messenger, which proved to be a success. More than 1.4 million customers received their KLM flight documents and updates via Messenger, 10% of all online KLM bookings are confirmed via this channel and 15% of all online KLM boarding passes are sent via Messenger.

About KLM and Social Media

Since 2009 KLM gained a reputation as an initiator and pioneer in the area of social media services and campaigns in the social landscape. In April 2017, KLM had over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions every week, 15,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally replied to by our 250 service agents, forming the world’s largest dedicated social media team. On Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk KLM offers her customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in 9 different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours KLM also services in Italian.

This marks the latest expansion of Messenger for Business, as first announced last year. 

The new Messenger service will be available to all KLM customers who book tickets via KLM.com and opt to receive information via Messenger. KLM has over 15 million fans on Facebook.

About KLM and Social Media
Since 2009 KLM gained a reputation as an initiator and pioneer in the area of social media services and campaigns in the social landscape. Every week, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions on social media, 10,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally replied to by our 200 service agents, forming the world’s largest dedicated social media team. KLM offers customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in 13 different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Norwegian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai.

Juanita’s appeal initially ended up on a pile of similar appeals. Karlijn Vogel-Meijer, Social Media Manager at KLM, says that people send in hundreds of such requests every year. “Our webcare team answers more than 70,000 queries a week from travellers and fans. It bothered us that we could never fulfil requests for free tickets, which is simply not an option for a company that relies on the sale of air tickets.”

However, KLM has millions of friends, fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter. “That prompted the concept of FlightFunding,” says Vogel-Meijer. “What if we let specific people ask our followers for help? What if we use our social media channels to make dreams come true? Would people be prepared to help? That was the essence of the FlightFunding experiment.”

“And the rest is history,” says Vogel-Meijer, who is thrilled for Juanita. “She had no idea about this yesterday, and now she’ll be getting on the plane. That’s the power of social media.”

KLM will now conduct a in-depth evaluation of the trial with all involved, to see whether FlightFunding campaigns could be run more regularly.

Visit flightfunding.com to see the final score, responses from supporters, and a live report of Juanita’s response.

“So the webcare team chose the request of Juanita’s co-workers and family in a raffle. She hasn’t seen her family in Canada in years. She hasn’t been able to hold her five-year-old grandson even once. She was saving up for a trip to Canada. But, as a result of some sad personal circumstances, she has lost that chance.”

Vogel-Meijer: “Trial and error has played an important part in establishing KLM’s leading position in social media. FlightFunding really is an experiment. Today Juanita’s appeal has been posted on KLM’s social media channels. Everyone can make their donation on flightfunding.com.

Surely 12 million fans worldwide should be enough to attract sufficient donations to cover the price of a ticket? But we are well aware that not every experiment is a success. We are very much looking forward to the results.”

This creative concept was developed in collaboration with Code D’Azur.

You can make donations via flightfunding.com.

KLM already offers a similar service in 14 different languages on various one-to-many social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and VKontakte. By first introducing WeChat -a one-to-few platform used mainly in China- and now Kakao Talk, used by over 100 million people worldwide, KLM is broadening and strengthening its existing social media portfolio.