Vietnamese airlines have been focusing on improving their online services and mobile applications to maximize convenience for passengers during their booking and check-in.

As online shopping and payment have become a fast-growing trend in Vietnam, especially after the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic hit, airlines in the country have decided to boost their online services such as booking, check-in, seat section, and in-flight meal preorders.

Local carriers have also been improving their mobile apps, which provide the latest updates on discounts and help passengers shorten their booking time.

According to Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh, deputy director of budget carrier Vietjet Air, up to 99 percent of the airline’s current revenue comes from cashless payment.

Vietjet’s non-cash revenue topped US$ 2.5 billion last year, up 25 percent from 2018, Binh added.

The airline is completing its new version of online payment system, which will allow passengers to purchase tickets with Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, domestic debit cards, and e-banking provided by about 40 Vietnamese and foreign banks.

Customers will also be able to pay their flight tickets in installments, the deputy director elaborated.

Vietjet is developing a ‘super app,’ which both helps customers purchase air tickets and supplies other services such as hotel booking, car rental, and lending.

For Nguyen Hoang, an office worker in Ho Chi Minh City, booking air tickets has never been faster and easier.

Hoang said he had recently bought a ticket to Hanoi and it took him only two minutes to complete the purchase online.

He only needed a smartphone with Internet connection to select a destination, a suitable flight schedule, and a ticket with a variety of online payment options.

As online booking has become a rising trend, air ticket agents have seen a sharp decline in the number of customers, according to Nguyen To Nhu, who runs a ticket office in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City.

In order to cope with the issue, the firm has had to provide more services including car rental, and tour booking, Nhu added.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!