[Avionics Today 09-17-2014] Panasonic Avionics is introducing EMV-compliant Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology in its In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems. Passengers and crew will be able to use NFC-enabled smart phones and cards to make high-value transactions and purchases, synchronize personal data, allow crew to check in and out of duty, among other capabilities.
According to Panasonic, there are already 200 million NFC-enabled phones in circulation capable of offering mobile payments, and this number is growing with the Apple iPhone 6 announcing it will use NFC for its Apple Pay service. Panasonic hopes to integrate other NFC initiatives, such as in baggage handling, check in and airport logistics in the future. The company expects airlines will be launching the NFC IFE technology in the summer of 2015.