Breakthrough for FlightStore booking system

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FlightStore, the provider of interactive shopping and online services for airlines, has successfully tested a two-way communication system which could revolutionise the flying experience for passengers in the future

Last week FlightStore technicians based at the MAS (Matsushita Avionics Systems Corp) research & development headquarters in Lake Forest California transmitted the first live car rental booking over satellite. The test was made using fully operational aircraft simulators to transmit a request to Sixt in Germany. Confirmation was sent back 30 seconds later over the aircraft's SATCOM technology - the first ever use of the technology for a passenger service.

FlightStore sales and marketing director Charles Vine explained the implications for this type of link. "Commercially viable, two-way inflight communication has long been a dream for airlines, passengers and retailers. What this means is that two-way communication is now a reality with limitless potential. We will launch it on Lauda and hopefully Austrian Airlines in October 2002."

Director Travel Internet at Sixt car rental Bob Gottinger commented: "By allowing passengers the opportunity to browse and book a car while they are travelling to their destination, saves them time and allows us to be the supplier of choice."

FlightStore said it is developing similar inflight booking systems for hotels, theatres and restaurants.