As any cryptocurrency expert or enthusiast will gladly tell you, Bitcoin is hotter than ever with already-record-high prices continuing toward $12,000. So, it comes as no surprise that Surf Air, which touts itself as the “future of flying,” announced that it now accepts the “future of money.”
The California-based “all-you-can-fly” airline offers four packages that can be paid for with Bitcoin or Ethereum, another type of “crypto token,” and Surf Air proudly claims this “natural progression” to be a first in the travel provider industry.
“Surf Air was built on the idea of disrupting and changing the way the world sources, purchases and accesses air travel so it only makes sense that we would also be on the cutting-edge of accepting disruptive and progressive forms of payment such as Bitcoin and Ethereum,” Sudhin Shahani, chairman and CEO of Surf Air, said in a statement. “Similarly, Bitcoin users are a tremendously motivated community of early adopters. By creating connective tissue between these forward-thinking business models, I believe we’re molding the future for consumer-first, experience-driven commerce.
“We are focused on staying on the bleeding edge of technology as a way to provide the most progressive, secure and efficient air travel in the world,” he added. “Digital currency has been on our radar from the very beginning and we are excited to provide our members with another quick and seamless way to do business with Surf Air.”
Naturally, the cryptocurrency community is thrilled with this progress.
“We’re really excited that Surf Air has decided to accept bitcoin as a payment method. This is an important step for digital currencies as they move from an investment asset to creating an open financial system. The market cap of digital currencies has increased from ~$17B to over $300B in 2017. There are now tens of millions of people around the world who have digital currencies and are looking for places to transact,” said Brian Armstrong, CEO and Co-founder of Coinbase.
The four Bitcoin- and Ethereum-based packages vary in price and range, at current rates, while offering access to special event flights.
Surf Air’s flight-sharing model was created to “provide an economical and efficient solution to the increasingly chaotic air travel experience” by streamlining booking and using private airports to allow travelers to bypass hectic check-ins and TSA lines in favor of driving right up to the terminal for a comfortable, personal experience.
