In follow-up of my previous post about iPhone Travel Apps, let me enlighten you with the next line of important iPhone Apps for traveling: Airlines apps. I’ve downloaded must of the available apps for airlines and frequent flyer programs available for iPhone in quest to test their worthiness. Let me present you with some of which I can recommend.
Cathay Pacific’s CX Mobile App:
Available in two formats for iPhone and iPad, this application is truly good. You can check-in for flights, check your frequent flyer status for Marco Polo Club, get flights timetables, information about countries which CX flies to and some insight on the human side of CX: its crew and the people working behind the scenes. Very recommended and you should give the iPad version a try.
Lufthansa app:
It looks like Lufthansa is also competing to reach the high level of service standards and they’re doing it good. Available in iPhone and iPad format, Lufthansa has plugged in all the needed information for any traveler. Mobile electronic QR boarding pass for scanning, check-in services, flights timetables, frequent flyer status and information and some awesome Lufthansa-related wallpapers for your gadget. I would truly recommend trying the iPad version. I have been using the iPhone version since two years ago and it evolved into something is that functioning smoothly and helped me during my trips with Lufthansa. Recommended.
British Airways App:
Being updated to the latest minute, British Airways have been working hard on getting this app to satisfy its users and it has gotten better over time. In the beginning, I didn’t like the idea that you have to login to use the app, but I think most of that gone right now and it’s gotten flexible over trial and error and users feedback. This is an interactive app display’s the urge of BA to compete to regain trust and confidence of its patrons over other competitive airlines. Generally, it has most of the functions that I have listed earlier in the previous apps but I do like the new artwork and its reflection into the app. Available only for iPhone.
All Nippon Airways ANA Global App:
Hidden and almost unnoticeable, the first app to emerge from the main two big Japanese airlines for iPhone and available in the US iTunes store. I was surprised that ANA decided to tackle the global scene with this app and it’s good. Equipped with a different interface where you can change the layout and background of the app while using it, it got me interested. The ability to display global time zones for up to 3 regions is remarkable and unique from all the other apps. Reservations, flights timetables as well login for frequent flyers are available initially but I do have some remarks about the functionality. Some of the functions would take you to the main actual website, where its re-sized abnormally and hard to use and view. I hope that ANA would address that and work on it. Another app for ANA is available for iPad and it’s called “ANA virtual airport” and it’s totally another concept of what is here, yet its still glitchy and at some operations it would cease to stop and quit. I have that could be addressed as well.
United Airlines App:
One of the competitive apps for the North American airliners, the app is almost shared between United and Continental Airlines after the merger between them last year. They share the same app icon, layout and such that you couldn’t differentiate between them. I’ve been using the United app for my flights between KWI and BAH and till now it doesn’t support the electronic mobile pass function for the region here, but it does where it’s applicable and accepted in North America and Europe. It does have all the basic functions needed for all travelers and they have worked better on improving the transition between each function smoothly. Available only for iPhone.
American Airlines App:
AA has already declared chapter 11 bankruptcy last month or so, yet they’re still functioning. Part of the OneWorld alliance, AA is the Northern American arm and they have been fiercely competing United and Delta for international travelers. By releasing two versions of their app, with a dedicated HD version for iPad, it seems that AA has taken their competition to the apps market. Nicely designed and produced to contain all the necessary functions for the frequent travelers, I think AA has been active and wish to see more improvements for the frequent flyer part in the future updates.
Turkish Airlines Fly Turkish App:
Although I have been hearing discouraging stories and experiences about frequent flyers going for Turkish airlines due to the low fares and the accountability of their tiers since Turkish Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, yet I’ve decided to try and give this app a shot since it’s free and it doesn’t involve any commitment to get on that airplane. Honestly, the interface is nicely done with some transitions between the functions that do need some attention to speed up the process, this app has almost everything anyone would need when traveling with this airline. Available only for iPhone.
Delta Airlines Fly Delta App:
Although I have never flown on Delta, I have been told by some of my buddies that it’s better than United and AA in their international and long-haul services and fares. Unfortunately, Delta Airlines only spot for arrival in the GCC region is Dubai DXB, so you would need a previous connecting flight if you’re not in UAE. Back to the app, I’ve been amazed by their thoughtfulness to include maps of local US airports which would help travelers with the gates and transfers. Aside from that, this app has all the necessary parts any traveler might require from Delta. I think some other North American airlines might need to see what Delta is doing and learn from it. Available only for iPhone.
Thai Airways Thai M Service App:
The 3rd app to review from Asia, this is nicely designed app for Thai Airways. It does contain some of the essential parts that would create a need for such an app, yet no promotion is going around to encourage people to use it. It did crash with me a couple of times and in some parts, it’s unstable. I hope that some serious effort would be put to fix it up. Further improvement is needed. Available only for iPhone.
Singapore Airlines Mobile App:
what’s one of the best airlines in the world? Singapore Airlines! what’s the worst airlines-related app in the world? this app!! I have to include in this app so more pressure would be placed on SQ to wake up and fix things up. So what’s wrong with it? Everything!! If you read the reviews in the iTunes App Store, you just wouldn’t believe how people are in disbelief that this awful app is related to SQ. Very slow and awful transitions between functions of the app, shifting to java web pages for usage, the hateful need to login each time you want to check something, this app is truly a disaster!! Till now, there has been no improvements that reflect the users feedback and that means that SQ is asleep!! I hope this post would wake up Singapore Airlines developers and start doing something for the sake of humanity!! I’ll be crossing my fingers while waiting to see something new and improved!
Lunardream
