More airlines incorporate mobile payments

Mobile payments have begun to penetrate the market, with businesses of all types implementing systems. One industry that has seen benefits is the air travel sector. According to a white paper from WorldPay, 25 percent of airlines now accept this payment method, up from 10 percent in 2012.

"We currently accept payment through mobile devices through the mobile version of the website, and plan to accept all payment types on all devices in the future," said Chris Chandler, vice president of financial services at Emirates Airlines.

Airlines could benefit from mobile payment systems for multiple reasons. For one, the customer experience can be improved vastly. Travelers would be able to purchase and store boarding passes directly on their smartphones.

Additionally, loyalty programs could offer better rewards. The data gathered through the system can better target promotions to customers. For example, someone who travels to Florida a lot could be alerted when fares to the Sunshine State are reduced.

The combination of these two benefits could boost customer retention. When someone enjoys their experience with an airline, there is a good chance they will fly again.