Vueling, a member of IAG (International Airlines Group), and BitPay, a leader in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payments, have announced a partnership that allows the airline’s customers to pay through this digital means of exchange.
The airline intends to offer this service using UATP’s technology, a global payment network for the airline industry, which allows for fast integration. As a result of this alliance, Vueling will become the first low-cost airline in Europe to accept cryptocurrencies as a payment method. Vueling will offer this service starting in 2023 at www.vueling.com for individuals only.
Customers will be able to pay for their flights with more than 100 wallets and choose from 13 different cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Dogecoin (DOGE), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC).
Cryptocurrency transactions are push transactions, meaning the user sends the exact amount, rather than withdrawing it like traditional credit or debit cards, thus reducing the possibility of fraud.
Vueling’s Jesús Monzó, Manager of Distribution Strategy and Alliances, says:
“With this agreement, Vueling once again reaffirms its position as a digital airline. We are very pleased to have found in BitPay the best partner to offer our customers the possibility of making transactions with cryptocurrencies with the greatest security and reliability”.
BitPay’s Vice President of Marketing, Merrick Theobald, says:
“Vueling recognizes the potential of cryptocurrencies to transform the airline industry, making payments faster, more secure and less expensive on a global scale. Our goal at BitPay is to make the acceptance of cryptocurrencies a seamless process and increase its adoption, as we believe that cryptocurrencies are the future of payments.”
“Offering cryptocurrency as a form of payment to the buying public is a must in this digital-age of payments. UATP and BitPay partnered to bring this option to the airline industry and is fulfilling the rising demand of Vueling’s customers to pay with cryptocurrency,” stated Rachel Morowitz, SVP Partner Processing, UATP. “It’s an exciting time in payments, and we look forward to watching this partnership, and Vueling’s use of cryptocurrencies accelerate quickly.”
About UATP
Airlines around the world operate UATP, a global payment system used for air, rail and travel agency payments. Airlines that use UATP can expand their reach and generate incremental sales globally by connecting to Alternative Forms of Payment. To ensure accurate travel management, UATP provides Issuers and Corporate Subscribers with easy-to-use tools, DataStreamSM and DataMineSM. It can be used to pay for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies, and Amtrak®; UATP accounts are issued by Aeromexico, Air Canada (TSE:AC), AirChina, Air New Zealand (ANZFF.PK), Air Niugini, AirSerbia, American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL); APG Airlines; Austrian Airlines; BCD Travel; China Eastern Airlines (NYSE: CEA); Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL); EL AL Israel Airlines; Etihad Airways; Fareportal; FrontierAirlines; GOL Intelligent Airlines S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4); Hahn Air; Hight Point Travel; Japan Airlines (9201:JP); JetBlue Airways; Qantas Airways (QUBSF.PK); Shandong Airlines; Sichuan Airlines; Southwest Airlines; Sun Country Airlines; TUIfly GmbH; Turkish Airlines (ISE:THYAO); United Airlines (NASDQAQ: UAL) and WestJet. AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for Lufthansa German Airlines.
About Vueling
Vueling, part of the IAG group, is a key player in European connectivity, which makes it a key company for economic and tourism development. For summer 2022, the company has a network of more than 330 short and medium-haul routes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, which are operated with a fleet of Airbus A319, A320, A320neo and A321 models.
