Delta Air Lines DAL is partnering with Ant Financial Services Group ("Ant Financial") and
UATP to make it easier for Chinese consumers to purchase airline tickets via
delta.com. The move, which sees Delta become the first United States carrier
to add Ant Financial's Alipay payment platform to its website, is part of the
airline's ongoing effort to serve Chinese travelers. UATP's alternative form
of payment processing initiative connects airlines with online payment brands
such as Alipay.
Delta Air Lines and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to nearly 370
destinations on six continents. For more information visit news.delta.com.
With the Alipay payment option on delta.com, Chinese travelers will now be
able to use China's most trusted payment method when they book Delta flights.
Alipay is China's leading online payment provider and the primary means of
online and mobile payment for Chinese consumers.
China has emerged as the world's top-spending and fastest-growing tourism
source market over the past decade due to rapid urbanization and the
astonishing growth of its middle class. With an enthusiasm for exploring new
destinations and different lifestyles, this new generation of Chinese
consumers has made the United States its most desired travel destination. In
2013, 1.8 million Chinese travelers visited the United States, contributing
$21.1 billion to the U.S. economy*. Following the recent easing of reciprocal
visa policies between the U.S. and China, a further increase in Chinese
travelers is now expected.
"We are thrilled to help Delta Air Lines make purchasing travel from China
easier and more accessible than ever," said Jingming Li, President, Ant
Financial Services Group, Americas. "Giving Chinese customers access to the
payment method they most trust signals the great service that they can expect
when they travel with Delta – from the ease of online booking to the airline's
Chinese-speaking flight attendants and airport support."
The partnership with Ant Financial will help Delta connect with the more than
300 million registered Alipay users in China. These savvy online consumers
will be able to fund their Alipay purchase on delta.com through bank accounts
or credit or debit cards with over 200 Alipay financial institution partners
around the world.
"This exciting new partnership is one of many Delta initiatives to build the
most Chinese-friendly U.S. airline," said Vinay Dube, Delta's senior vice
president – Asia Pacific. "As the U.S. and China have agreed to issue
multiple-entry visas for up to ten years for short-term business and tourist
travel, our partnership with Alipay will give more Chinese consumers the
chance to experience traveling in the U.S. with our industry-leading product
and service in flight and on the ground."
Delta operates nonstop flights from Beijing and Shanghai-Pudong to two U.S.
gateways, Detroit and Seattle, where passengers can connect to more than 250
U.S. cities. Delta also operates daily nonstop flights from Shanghai-Pudong to
Tokyo-Narita, where passengers have additional connection options to Delta's
global network. Delta recently announced a new service between Shanghai and
Los Angeles starting July 9, 2015.
Delta has been increasing nonstop flights from China to the U.S. since 2009 to
address the growing travel demand in the market. Delta continues to make
significant investments to build the most Chinese-friendly U.S. airline.
Chinese travelers are well served with local language options on the delta.com
website, at airport self-service kiosks and among inflight entertainment
selections. The airline is also proud to have Chinese-speaking flight
attendants and to offer Chinese cuisine among its inflight meal options.
*
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/10/fact-sheet-supporting-american-job-growth-and-strengthening-ties-extendi
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Loading...
Posted In: NewsPress Releases
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
Join Now: Free!
Already a member?Sign in