WhatsApp and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have started a unique test for a new service on WhatsApp.

KLM now offers customers around the world booking confirmation, check-in notification, boarding pass, flight status updates and asking questions in 10 different languages on WhatsApp via the official WhatsApp Business application.

KLM is one of the first companies and the very first airline worldwide with a verified WhatsApp business account.
 
Together with a small number of businesses, WhatsApp is testing ways for businesses to communicate with customers using the populat chat app. WhatsApp wants to create value for both customers and the businesses they connect with in their daily lives. This pilot programme is part of that effort. To this end, WhatsApp has created an enterprise solution that makes it possible for businesses like KLM to connect with their customers in a fast and personal way. The rollout has already started in a limited number of countries, and the service will become more widely available in the coming days and weeks.
 
“I am very proud that KLM is the world’s first airline with a verified WhatsApp account. This unique partnership with WhatsApp underlines our position as an aviation pioneer. We want to be where our customers are and, given the 1 billion users, you have to be on WhatsApp. With an account verified by WhatsApp, we offer our customers worldwide a reliable way to receive their flight information and ask questions 24/7. This truly is a major next step in our social media strategy,” said KLM president and CEO Pieter Elbers.

KLM flight info easy to find through verified WhatsApp account
 
Offering flight information to customers through a verified WhatsApp business account makes information easy to access in a single place, making it available at the airport, en route or at home. Customers can also directly contact KLM’s social media service agents, 24/7, via WhatsApp. The service is available to customers who book tickets or check in via KLM.com and opt-in to receive information via WhatsApp.
 
Secure messages
 
Messages are secure so that they can only be read by the customer and KLM, and no one else, not even WhatsApp. Customers can easily recognise verified businesses using the official WhatsApp business application. This means that customers will see a green checkmark badge next to the KLM contact name on WhatsApp.
 
KLM and Social Media
 
Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions every week, 15,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 250 service agents, who form the world’s largest, dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk (Korean), KLM offers her customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, KLM also offers services in Italian. KLM was the world’s first airline to offer customers the option of receiving flight documents and status updates via Messenger, Twitter and WeChat. - TradeArabia News Service