Alternative Airlines now offer WhatsApp for global customer support

Alternative Airlines, a growing flight-search website based in the UK, has announced that customers will now be able to contact its expert customer service team via WhatsApp, a popular instant messaging platform, in addition to existing channels of communication—including phone, on-site live chat and email.

Instant messaging is the fastest growing communication channel on the planet, and WhatsApp has the highest distribution of all messaging apps worldwide: over 1.5 billion internet users have downloaded the free messaging app in over 180 countries.

WhatsApp provides a quick and convenient communication option, in a format customers are comfortable with. Through a live one-to-one chat window, Alternative Airlines’ experienced customer service representatives will be able to provide easy real-time support throughout the entire customer journey.

Users simply input the Alternative Airlines customer support number into the app and can send a message directly to the Alternative Airlines team. Once contacted, the Alternative Airlines business profile can be saved to SIM for easy access and recognition.

“Alternative Airlines is dedicated to providing customers with the highest level of service,” commented Shelley Tasker, Operations Manager at Alternative Airlines. “We’re very excited! Mobile-first support means it is now easier and faster than ever to contact our customer service team. We look forward to offering a personalised service, every time our customers return, and increasing loyalty as a result.”

Furthermore—and perhaps the most exciting opportunity—is the potential WhatsApp offers to connect to customers on an international scale. WhatsApp users don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi, they can use a data based internet source to access the product instead. This means that emerging markets are especially keen on WhatsApp, which is a clear favourite amongst Europe, South America, and the Asia Pacific regions. The Indian market offers particularly huge potential: 96% of all smartphone users in India use WhatsApp for daily communication.

Alternative Airlines is a growing global business: 2018 saw Alternative Airlines receive bookings from customers from over 160 different countries. The flight-search website will now be able to leverage the unmatched reach of WhatsApp and easily facilitate communication with customers from its international markets.

Alternative Airlines offers more flight options to customers, with flights on over 650 airlines and over 25 ways to pay, including international and region-specific methods such as M-Pesa, Airtel, Sofort, Tigo Pesa, as well as the option to buy flights on finance. “We want to offer all our customers the highest level of support, no matter what country they are booking from,” added Shelley, “we also understand that our customers sometimes need help with their flight reservations whilst abroad and that WhatsApp provides an alternative to potentially expensive calls”. Currently open every day 8am-8pm (BST), Alternative Airlines also has plans set to extend office hours with 24/7 customer service.

Offering WhatsApp as a communication channel is the next step as Alternative Airlines continues to make innovative strides to further benefit international customers: in 2018, the company launched its Spanish website (https://es.alternativeairlines.com/), which is the first translated version of the website.

About Alternative Airlines

Alternative Airlines is a flight-search website that offers a fast, easy and convenient way to book flights to remote destinations, as well as well-known locations. Alternative Airlines specialises in providing travellers with a wider choice of flights by working with more than 650 airlines including the smaller, regional ones across the world, especially in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and South-East Asia. Alternative Airlines’ global audience can enjoy over 25 international payment methods across 160 currencies.

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