TripAdvisor, Skyjet and FLIO keep mobile innovation flying high

A big name in travel, an on-demand private jet charter company and a global airport app are 2016’s top mobile innovators

Mobile is increasingly the go-to platform to conduct all activities, from researching and booking hotels to find a place to eat or an activity to do. For this reason, investment and innovation in the platform is business critical. It is also the reason that EyeforTravel continues to reward mobile innovation in three categories – best mobile app, best mobile user experience and best mobile travel solution at its annual awards in San Francisco

Proving the importance of mobile to one of the biggest names in travel was TripAdvisor, which, once again accepted the award for ‘best mobile app’.  TripAdvisor product innovator Keyvan Rahmatian had this to say on their app efforts: “We take a very user centric approach and continually test new features, both qualitatively and quantitatively, before releasing them to the general public. That can take a lot of time and infrastructure, but ultimately yields a great product”.

TripAdvisor’s three top tips for a mobile world:

  • Understand the big picture. Apps aren’t websites, unlike a series of webpages, apps are a cohesive unit that should look and feel and function like one product; it’s important to design them that way

  • Take advantage of the platform: iOS and Android each offer specific strengths and weaknesses when it comes to distribution, engagement, and expectations

  • Differentiate: with the millions of apps out there, a very small % get downloaded at the end of the day, so you need to stand out by offering a unique value proposition to your users

Breaking free from shackles

Leveraging native technologies is one of the winning formulas of Skyjet, an on-demand private jet charter company which has, according to President Greg Richman, solved “something that was really hard and time-consuming to do” - namely booking a charter flight. 

The app, which has been downloaded 12,000 times, is highly personalised and gives users the information they need as easily and quickly as possible. It also leverages native technologies like Apple Pay, push notifications, and location services.

Even the best user experience can still be shackled if the technology doesn’t deliver on its promises

Skyjet President Greg Richman

“Even the best user experience can still be shackled if the technology doesn’t deliver on its promises,” says Richman. “Our app presents the user with a streamlined booking experience but it's the technology - Apple Pay and our web services integrated with the back-end - that power an excellent UX.”

Taking on airports

Best Mobile Travel Solution went to FLIO, which founders Stephan Uhrenbacher (Qype and 9flats.com), Andy Watson (Spotify), Brian Collie (BAA Group, World Duty Free Group) developed “to make the airport a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for travellers”.

Available for iOS and Android, and offering live flight stats at 900 airports that are pulled via API, FLIO’s claim to fame is that it provides everything you need at any airport. This includes: free, one-click Wifi access, comprehensive airport information, exclusive retail offers, the ability to book lounges and trains, airport maps, live arrival and departure times and so on. .

According to Watson, so far the app covers more than 200 airports with tips and information, 900 with live flight stats, and at 400 it connects the user to official Wifi.

Tips and information are collated by “an awesome editorial team who receive many emails from our most frequent users that give us insider tips about airports all around the world,” he says.

This month the FLIO app hit the 100,000-download mark and the firm is now looking for venture capital to grow its user base.

Any takers?

Do you deserve to be rewarded for innovation in travel? Why not enter EyeforTravel’s upcoming The 2016 Start-up & Innovation in Travel Awards to be held at TDS Europe (April 19-20)

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