PAL, Smart sign deal for online flight booking and payment app

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines and Smart Communications Inc. have signed a partnership deal to develop an app that will allow passengers to book flights and pay for their flights using mobile devices.

In an emailed statement on Tuesday, the airline said the new app will "facilitate access to PAL's online booking system and the integration of MePay as its core payment gateway, making it much easier for PAL passengers to pay for their tickets, track flight status and check-in online."

Smart subsidiary Smart e-Money developed the payment gateway MePay, which allows PAL to accept payment from all methods including credit card, debit card, Smart Money, ATM and offline payments.

The PAL web app will be launched in the "coming months," said the statement. The mobile app for both iOS and Android phones will be released early next year.

Around 70 million Smart, Talk 'N Text, and Sun Cellular subscribers may access the PAL mobile app and mobile website without any data charges, PAL said. — Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/BM, GMA News