Hamburg: Panasonic introduces its new eCommerce partnership programme

“The eCommerce Partnership Programme leverages the broadband connectivity available from Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite to transform passengers’ personal devices into business platforms that help drive ancillary revenue for airlines,” said Scott Scheer, director of eXTV and ancillary services for Panasonic Avionics Corporation.  “It also offers 3rd party business partners the opportunity to engage a captive audience on board aircraft flying all over the globe.”

The programme can be pre-integrated into an in-flight Wi-Fi portal, and is available without obligation for Panasonics’ Global Communications Service customers. There are currently three vendors who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to participate in the programme.

TripAdvisor will provide a streamlined version of its site to passengers with content that can be airline or route driven.  Passengers will have access to up-to-date information such as points of interest, location details, photographs, menus, user reviews and special offers -- everything about where to stay, where to eat, and what to see.

Also participating in the Panasonic’s eCommerce Partnership Program is GuestLogix, who is already a partner with Panasonic for payment processing infrastructure.  The company will offer its OnTouch product portfolio, which includes transportation booking, event tickets, shopping catalogs and concierge services.

In addition, Choose Digital will provide an online marketplace with digital goods such as ebooks, audiobooks and music.  Airlines will be able to customise the content categories and offer items for as little as $1.00 USD for purchase.  Browsing through the catalog, passengers will find the latest titles and albums available, and be able to listen to sample snippets of audio content before making a purchase.

Panasonic will continue to work with prospective partners to expand this programme and offer airlines a wide variety of eCommerce options. 

“It’s really a win-win-win scenario.  Passengers will have access to a large library of exciting content, destination services and more, third party vendors will be able to market their unique products and services to a captive audience, and airlines will benefit from ancillary revenue and enhanced, relevant commerce and service offerings for their passengers,” said Scheer.