Tech

Bolt Enhances Airport Travel with New Flight Tracking Feature

RIDE BOOKING

FAST COMPANY|Published

A driver on an e-hailing platform makes his way to the airport to pick up a traveller.

Image: Unsplash

In a move aimed at enhancing the airport travel experience in South Africa, Bolt has launched a new feature known as Flight Tracking for scheduled rides.

This innovative update synchronises users' flight information with their ride bookings, automatically adjusting pick-up times in the event of flight delays or cancellations - all without incurring additional costs.

With existing partnerships at over 30 major airports globally, including OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport, and King Shaka International Airport in Durban, app users can now effortlessly pre-book their rides by simply entering their flight number in advance.

Once the details are submitted, the app intelligently handles all flight schedule changes, providing peace of mind for both individual travellers and corporate clients alike.

“With our new Flight Tracking feature, our private and Bolt Business customers can now enjoy peace of mind knowing their ride will adjust if their flight is delayed or cancelled at no extra charge. This means less time spent waiting at the airport and more reliable, seamless travel,” stated Lerato Motsoeneng, senior general manager at Bolt.

This newly released feature comes in response to a remarkable trend observed in South Africa, with pre-booked rides surging by an impressive 275%.

Designed specifically for the growing corporate travel sector, the Flight Tracking feature is part of Bolt’s ongoing efforts to increase reliability and efficiency in transportation.

Scheduling rides is simpler than ever: users need only tap the ‘Schedule’ button on the app, input their arrival airport and destination, and provide key flight details like airline and flight number.

In addition, users can designate their preferred waiting time post-landing, ensuring an entirely automated adjustment based on real-time flight updates to minimise the common hassles travellers encounter.

In an additional commitment to convenience, the e-hailing platform has expanded its ride scheduling window to 90 days, offering even more flexibility for users planning their travels.

Companies utilising Bolt Business will benefit from features like centralised billing and detailed reporting, making it an advantageous choice for managing employee transportation and catering to client needs.

With airports being among the most frequently visited locations for riders, the platform’s strategic approach to facilitating faster and easier airport pick-ups through superior technology aims to significantly reduce waiting times and enhance overall customer satisfaction.

FAST COMPANY