Facebook is turning Messenger into a truly multifunctional app. In addition to its communication features, you can send money to your friends, order an Uber or Lyft car, contact companies' customer service reps, and you'll soon be able to use Messenger to make in-store payments. If all that isn't enough for you, another function is coming to Messenger: flight management.
Facebook and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have announced a partnership that will allow KLM travelers to check-in, receive flight confirmation, access boarding passes, receive check-in reminders, get flight updates, and make flight changes through live customer service chat all within the Messenger app.
Anyone who books tickets on the airline's website can opt to use KLM's new Messenger service. It's rolling out right now, and will be available globally over the coming days and weeks.
"The new Messenger service is a perfect addition to KLM's social strategy," said Pieter Elbers, KLM president and CEO. "We believe we should be where our customers are, and therefore Messenger and KLM are a good fit. Our customers feel comfortable sharing info with us via a more personal platform like Messenger."
KLM is the first global airline to provide these services on Messenger, but Facebook says more will be added in the future. There are already a number of other companies that use the app as a way to communicate with their customers.
"We think Messenger is the best place to talk to the people and increasingly, the businesses, people care most about. We are pleased to welcome KLM onto the expanding Messenger platform as the first airline partner. Now, KLM customers will be able to have fast, contextual conversations about their flights, all from the comfort of an app they already know and love - Messenger," said David Marcus, Vice President of Facebook Messaging Products.