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In an industry burdened by the financial and reputational toll of travel disruption, one London-based travel tech start-up is offering a smarter, faster solution, and is looking to grow its presence in Asia.
Founded in 2020, Swiipr is pushing a digital transformation in how airlines manage passenger compensation, replacing outdated paper vouchers and delayed bank transfers with instant, secure, and compliant digital payments.
Each year, more than 500 million passengers experience flight delays, cancellations, or lost luggage, costing airlines billions and sparking growing regulatory and customer pressure.
Swiipr’s response is an end-to-end platform designed specifically for airline disruption. It combines virtual and physical prepaid cards, a mobile app, and real-time payment infrastructure to boost operational efficiency and enhance the passenger experience.
Already used by 26 airlines across more than 70 countries, Swiipr is demonstrating that disruption doesn’t have to mean disorder.
Swiipr generates its revenue through a percentage of the funds airlines load onto its cards, a model that aligns closely with airline needs and ensures scalability. Following a recent £6 million ( US$8 million ) Series A round led by Octopus Ventures, the company is gearing up for its next growth phase.
At the Aviation Festival Asia 2025 in Singapore, The Asset met with Tara Spielhagen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Swiipr, to explore the origins of this idea, what it really means to digitize airline payments, and how Swiipr is bringing much-needed change to a sector long overdue for innovation.
Platform in action
Swiipr’s platform is built for easy integration, whether as a standalone tool or via an application programming interface ( API ), tailored to each airline’s needs.
“We have a clear simple set of APIs that can be easily consumed. The API integration allows our platform to pull real-time data from an airline’s system and automatically respond to any updates which occur, as they occur. The airline can also pull back management information and data insights in real time,” says Spielhagen.
Integration begins with close collaboration with the airline’s IT team. “During the software discovery process, we work directly with the airline’s IT team to identify any requirements they may have on their side, which might need filling before they start using Swiipr. In most cases, we connect our platform to the client by constructing an extra layer of software between our system and theirs. This additional layer works like an adapter to allow the two systems to interact seamlessly, something which is particularly useful when airlines are older and have legacy technology.”
“The ease with which we can integrate the platform means that many airlines can be up and running in just a few months, even quicker if standalone,” Spielhagen adds.
The platform is also configurable to align with individual airline policies. Some may allow spending in any airport store, while others may restrict it to selected outlets.
“Swiipr’s platform is unique in that it has intelligent compliance rules built into it, so ground staff don’t have to work out themselves what each passenger is entitled to,” she explains. “Swiipr automatically incorporates the regulations that apply and each airline’s policies, tailoring this to each individual passenger, for example, by their class of travel and their country of origin.”
Passengers benefit from fast, intuitive support. Instead of queuing for paper vouchers, they receive instant assistance via the Swiipr app – either through a virtual card in their mobile wallet or a physical pre-paid card. Funds can be used immediately for food, hotels, or transport, with full retailer acceptance and no friction.
The platform also handles compensation for lost luggage or major delays. There’s no paperwork or long waits – funds are issued instantly via the compensation card and can be reloaded in real time if delays continue.
Assistance payments are typically short-term, with airlines choosing how they can be used – limited to food and beverage during short delays, or expanded to hotels and taxis for longer ones. Compensation payments are fully open-loop and accepted in-store, online, or at ATMs wherever Mastercard is available.
Expansion plans for Asia
Swiipr’s platform is already used by international airlines with a significant presence in Asia, including British Airways.
“We are also in advanced talks with several major Asian airlines,” says Spielhagen. “Asia is a particularly attractive market given the surge in passenger numbers. Increased travel to the region makes it a hugely effective time for Swiipr to be forging partnerships with Asian airlines and to support their growing customer base.”
However, the region’s regulatory complexity presents a challenge. “Because compensation regulation across Asia is less centralized than that of some other regions, it means different policies for different airlines in different regions,” she notes.
“This differs from Europe, for example, where set EU policy means airlines have to offer minimum levels of compensation. India, China and Japan have specific laws defining passenger rights should delays occur, while many airlines have their own compensation rules.”
Spielhagen adds: “Many countries which didn’t previously have robust compensation policies are now implementing national regulations. Late last year, the US introduced rules to compensate passengers for cancelled or significantly delayed flights. It’s very possible that a similar regulation will arrive in more Asian countries over the coming years.”
Given the region’s diversity, how does Swiipr plan to navigate different operational norms and customer expectations?
“Different regulatory policies, or tech infrastructure naturally affect the way we work with individual airline partners,” she says. “Irrespective of regulation and policies, it’s a universal fact that travellers today expect the best possible customer service from their airline, and we aim to support this through a universal compensation system.
“To address any operational differences, we always use the same mantra: flexibility. By understanding individual airlines and markets, and how they function, we can adapt our own offering to produce a positive customer experience in any market we operate.”
Sustainable edge
Traditionally, airline compensation came in the form of single-use paper vouchers, issued, used once, and thrown away. It’s a system that generates significant waste, from the paper itself to the energy required for printing.
“Swiipr, however, enables customers to access assistance payments via the world’s first travel disruption-specific mobile application,” says Spielhagen. “This means no more wasteful paper vouchers and a smaller carbon footprint for passengers and airlines.”
For customers who still prefer a physical option, Swiipr has introduced another innovation: a 100% recyclable “eco card”.
“With a rigidity and thickness comparable to PVC cards, this biodegradable alternative can be used like any other assistance payment card in airport stores,” she explains. “The difference is that our eco card is fully compostable and recyclable, meaning it won’t end up added to a landfill.”
Beyond products, Swiipr is embedding sustainability into its operations. “We are always looking to find new ways to use technology to reduce our environmental impact. As well as working to develop more products like our eco card, we are also working to reduce the impact of our day-to-day operations, including through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport solutions.
“Our overarching goal is to achieve ongoing reductions in our environmental footprint while striving for operational excellence.”
