SeatAssignMate

SeatAssignMate has created a flight check-in application built directly into a traveler’s email. Passengers can select their seat, print their boarding pass, and purchase airline upgrades.

With standard check-in procedures, travelers are forced to copy and paste flight information, and navigate multiple websites or mobile applications.

This lengthy process creates a bad user experience. And it can make it difficult for passengers to access services offered by the airline.

These services, ranging from in-flight meals, to seat upgrades, to pay-per-view television, are known as “ancillary services.” Every year, airline companies generate billions of dollars in revenue from these services.

In fact, in 2017, the Global Airline Ancillary Market was valued at $82 billion.

SeatAssignMate is targeting this market with its white-label solution for airline companies. The company has tested its solution, and received investments from JetBlue Technology Ventures and ELAL (Israel) Airlines.

SeatAssignMate's platform provides passengers with a more seamless and enjoyable user experience…

And helps airlines increase sales of ancillary services.

The platform offers several features, including:

Interactive Seat Map: This map displayed in the email updates in real-time, and enables the passenger to select his or her seat. Travelers can select their seat quickly and easily, while airlines see an increase in upgrade purchases.

Ancillary Services: These offerings are displayed directly in the email, and include things like in-flight meals and checked baggage options. By enabling passengers to pre-select these services, airlines can better manage their inventory and reduce waste.

Flight Check-In: When the check-in window is open, a passenger can generate his or her boarding pass with the click of a button. This process is faster for passengers, and enables airport staff to focus on other tasks, saving time and money.

Countdown Clock: Each email contains a countdown clock, informing passengers of the flight’s departure time. This adds convenience for the traveler and enables airline companies to create a sense of urgency in order to increase sales for services.

Airlines are charged on a per-email basis. In addition, SeatAssignMate will earn a commission for every product and service sold through its platform.

Based on company research, SeatAssignMate projects that interactive email can increase conversion for product offerings up to 30%. With the company receiving a commission on each purchase, the total addressable market for this platform is $1 billion.

SeatAssignMate has a technology patent approved for the U.S., and pending approvals in Europe and China.

In 2017, SeatAssignMate launched a test of its product in Europe via International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways. In addition, the company graduated from International Airline Group’s Hangar 51 accelerator program.

That same year, SeatAssignMate’s platform was voted “Best Ancillary Upsell Solution” at the International Air Transport Association World Passenger Symposium.

Moving forward, the company plans to expand its white-label system to other verticals, including logistics companies, hotels, and e-commerce platforms.

According to its founders, SeatAssignMate could become an acquisition target for an airline merchandising technology provider such as Amadeus (BME: AMS) or Sabre (NASDAQ:SABR), a customer relationship management provider such as Adobe or IBM, or an email service provider such as Google.

Team Background

Duncan Sham - Co-Founder & Product Designer

Duncan is a product designer with more than 10 years of experience in the advertising and creative industries.

For nearly six years, he worked as a senior designer for Vault49, an incubator for innovative design projects.

Throughout his career, he has designed for notable clients including Gap, Adidas, YouTube, Pepsi, and Yahoo!.

Duncan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from The University of Salford.

Shi Li - Co-Founder & CEO

Shi has experience in both the digital and airline industries.

Prior to starting SeatAssignMate, he built an international airfare metasearch website.

In addition, he completed a project regarding airline seating patterns and presented his findings to air travel industry leaders.

He previously worked at The Founder Institute, an incubator program for start-ups. He also previously interned with the United Nations.

Shi earned an MBA from NYU.

Nan Zhao - Chief Technology Officer

Nan leads SeatAssignMate’s Research & Development Team.

Before joining the company, he served as a senior software engineer for MicroBiz, a computer development and sales company.

He previously served as a web developer for That’s Nice Marketing, and in the same position with Gallant FX, a financial brokerage company.

Nan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology from Arkansas Tech University.

Co-Investors

JetBlue Ventures

A VC wing of JetBlue Airlines that incubates, and invests in early-stage start-ups. Portfolio includes Lumo (a digital booking solution to avoid flight delays) and Skyhour (a platform enabling users to gift air travel).

Elal Airlines

Israel’s leading airline company.