Akasa Air becomes first Indian airline to enable Apple Pay for international bookings

Akasa Air has become the first Indian airline to introduce Apple Pay as a payment option, marking a significant step forward in the digital transformation of airline payments in India. The new feature allows passengers to use Apple Pay for international flight bookings, offering a faster, more secure, and frictionless checkout experience for travellers booking both from India and overseas.

The Apple Pay option is now live across Akasa Air’s website and mobile app. Customers using supported Apple devices can complete transactions using Face ID, Touch ID, or a secure passcode, eliminating the need to manually enter card details for every booking. This not only reduces checkout time but also enhances payment security through tokenisation and biometric authentication.

Smoother checkout for international travel

The new payment feature is currently available for international routes, where travellers often face challenges such as currency conversion delays, multi-layered verification processes, and payment gateway failures. By integrating Apple Pay, Akasa Air streamlines cross-border transactions, enabling faster approvals and fewer booking disruptions, a critical improvement for international travellers who require reliability and speed during the booking process.

Digital Payments as a strategic focus

Akasa Air’s move aligns with its broader digital-first strategy aimed at simplifying the end-to-end travel experience. Industry observers note that the adoption of global payment platforms like Apple Pay positions Indian airlines to better meet evolving passenger expectations, especially among digitally savvy international travellers who prioritise convenience, speed, and security.

Benefits for Indian passengers

For Indian passengers, this development translates into a smoother, more reliable, and more secure booking experience, particularly for international travel. Faster transactions mean less time spent navigating complex payment gateways, while biometric authentication enhances safety by reducing fraud risks. The ability to book seamlessly from overseas also benefits Indian travellers living or working abroad, offering greater flexibility and confidence when making travel plans. Overall, Apple Pay integration elevates the digital travel experience and brings Indian airline payments closer to global best practices.