Singapore Airlines is the launch airline for the digital version of Star Alliance’s Connection Service, introduced in 2017 to facilitate time-critical flight connections between member airlines. Until now, the service required dedicated staff support to assist affected passengers.

Now, with the digital version, Star Alliance Connection Service embeds in a participating member airline’s mobile app to provide updated transfer information and intuitive navigational services through the customer’s smartphone at hub airports.

The digital version delivers useful information, including the optimum route from gate to gate; the time and distance to get there; and, in the case of tight connections, a digital connection card to allow for expedited passage where applicable. Star Alliance used the Airline Accelerator technology of U.K.-based Living Map, a digital location and mapping specialist.

The release is focused initially on London Heathrow’s Terminal 2. Passengers connecting to and from other Star Alliance member airlines in the airport can access terminal maps via the mobile app. The plan is to roll out to more transfer-intensive airports for adoption by other member airlines in the future. Android users can use the technology now, with implementation for iOS users to come.

“Launching the Connection Service on the SingaporeAir mobile app, in partnership with Star Alliance, is part of our efforts to use digital technologies to provide a more seamless end-to-end journey to our customers. As the world’s leading digital airline, we will continue to find innovative ways to enhance the experience for our customers and support their evolving needs,” said Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president, commercial, Singapore Airlines.