Samsung has entered into a partnership with South African Airways (SAA) to upgrade the in-flight entertainment offering to business class passengers through the provision of Samsung tablets on selected flights longer than three hours.
SAA will initially launch the project on its Mauritius route, enhancing the travel experience for professionals and addressing their unique travel needs by adding more choice. The tablets are pre-loaded with content that can be used to read magazines, watch movies and listen to music.
“During trial tests with SAA, passengers responded that they rated convenience and relevant information sources as key, while travelling. This relationship enables us to showcase the comfort, accessibility and content advantages that a Samsung tablet offers,” said Michelle Potgieter, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung Electronics SA.
The collaboration brings together two brands who are both synonymous with quality and innovation in order to deliver a smarter, more suitable in-flight environment for South Africa’s national airline customers. With productivity and an improved infotainment offering in mind, the business class traveller can now enjoy the Samsung mobile innovation.
“After an extensive study it was clear that executive travellers demand an in-flight multimedia system that can replicate, or even transcend what they are accustomed to on the ground. As a result, we have customised the tablet to meet the specific and unique requirements of the SAA business class passenger,” continues Potgieter.
“Our association with Samsung is aligned with our business philosophy and sets us apart from our competitors, where no such offering currently exists. As a premier brand we constantly evolve the offering to our customers; this new and improved on-board experience alongside premium mobile Samsung devices, will further augment our position as a full service and innovative airline,” says Sylvain Bosc, SAA Chief Commercial Officer.
Increasingly, corporate companies join forces with technology firms to grow and enrich customer expectations and therefore, their value proposition. SAA, together with Samsung and Microsoft, developed the customised application for regional flights and as a result, travellers will now be able to conveniently access information anywhere. The A320 new generation aircraft will also make provision for the tablet to be conveniently placed in a slot in the back of the seat equipped with a charging point.
Further to this, SAA is provided with a value-added service that takes the travel expedition to new heights. Cabin crew are able to distribute the devices, which will contain both South African, African and international content, once in-flight and collect the tablets prior to landing for safe keeping and redistribution for the next flights.
“This validates our commitment to deliver the latest product innovation and value added services to consumers. Core to this offering is to provide business travellers with an experience that meets their evolving needs in order to enhance their journey with SAA,” concludes Potgieter.