United has partnered with PayPal PYPL to offer customers touch-free inflight purchases even where Wi-Fi is not available. Beginning next month, customers on select flights can buy snacks, drinks or make other inflight purchases by simply showing a PayPal QR Code on the app. As part of its contactless payment tools, the carrier already offers customers the option to pre-order snacks and beverages from its app and website, while also offering them the ability to store payment information in a digital wallet. Initially, United Airlines will make the PayPal QR Code facility available on select flights departing from Chicago O' Hare International Airport, in November. Before the end of the year, it will be extended to all flights across the entire network where contactless payment is available. Under this payment method, customers need to download the PayPal app and set their preferred payment method for QR code payments, prior to leaving the gate. As per the given options, the app can then be used to generate the QR code to be scanned by the flight attendant.<br/>
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India's largest airline IndiGo expects Tata Sons to be "formidable competition" once the conglomerate finalises its $2.4b purchase of Air India from the government, the budget airline's CE said. Tata also owns a majority stake in Vistara, a premium joint venture with Singapore Airlines, as well as budget airline AirAsia India. "I see them as formidable competition but I welcome them. It is a sensible thing," IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta told a CAPA Centre for Aviation event on Wednesday, in a pre-recorded interview. The government announced on Friday that Tata would resume control of Air India, marking the end of years of struggle to privatise the financially troubled airline. "I think they will become more economically responsible," Dutta said of Air India. "Having a large player funded by taxpayers is not fair competition for us." IndiGo controls more than half of the Indian domestic market but its international operations are far smaller than Air India's. Dutta said IndiGo was focused on flights within seven hours of India using narrowbody planes, while Air India was more focused on full-service long-haul operations, leaving plenty of room in the market for both. In the domestic market, low-cost carrier Akasa Air, backed by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, expects to take to the skies next year. <br/>
ANA will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner entering service with special commemorative flights on October 31. ANA was the launch customer for the Dreamliner in 2011 after placing its first order in 2004. Today it operates 76 of the aircraft – 36 787-8s, 38 787-9s and two 787-10s. “Since its debut in 2011, the Boeing 787 has served with distinction, and is widely known for its innovative improvements to the cabin environment and fuel efficiency,’’ the airline said.“Over the past decade, ANA has collaborated with its manufacturing partners to customize the aircraft, introducing new technologies and materials to improve the passenger experience. The addition of the aircraft to ANA’s fleet 10 years ago allowed for the significant expansion of the ANA Group’s international network and supported the airline’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining its high service standards.”<br/>