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United Airlines is equipping more than 23,000 flight attendants with Apple Inc.’s iPhone 6 Plus smart phone to be used as a payment-acceptance device on flights.
Distribution of the devices is expected to begin in the second quarter. United says the devices will be able to handle most onboard retail transactions, but does not say which point-of-sale software and card reader will be used. Like many other airlines, United accepts only payment cards in cabin.
The smart phones also will be used for access to email and to company Web sites and to view manuals and policies, United says.
United also issues iPads to its pilots for use with their flight plans and procedures.
The air travel industry is no stranger to using smart phones and tablets. United is installing specially equipped iPads in restaurants and bars in Terminal C of Newark, N.J.’s Newark Liberty International airport to enable passengers to spend their United frequent-flier miles on purchases.
The program, available now at select restaurants, will ultimately include 6,000 iPads in the terminal, which is undergoing a $120 million renovation.
