Air France-KLM announced today that it is partnering with a Swiss non-profit to explore how blockchain can strengthen the travel industry.
Founded in 2017, Winding Tree is a blockchain-based, decentralized, open-source travel distribution platform. Its goal is to reduce costs for travelers while still delivering profitable opportunities for suppliers.
In its announcement, Air France-KLM said it will support Winding Tree’s technology by testing the platform and providing feedback during development. This collaboration makes Air France-KLM one of the first major airlines to join Winding Tree. The platform has also partnered with Nordic Choice Hotels, allowing suppliers to bypass intermediaries such as Expedia and Booking.com.
Commenting on the partnership, Sonia Barrière, EVP Strategy and Innovation at Air France-KLM, said:
“With a long-standing commitment to innovation with startups and partners, Air France-KLM is constantly shaping the future of travel and creating solutions that make the travel experience easier and more personalized.”
Barrière added that the goal is to use blockchain to drive meaningful change across the travel industry for customers, companies, and startups.
Pedro Anderson, founder and CEO of Winding Tree, said the partnership with Air France-KLM will help the platform apply its technology to deliver real innovation and improved customer satisfaction.
This announcement arrives as blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies gain traction within the travel sector.
In February, StormX—the company behind the crypto-earning app Storm Play—began allowing travelers to purchase first-class airline tickets with cryptocurrency. At the time, Simon Yu, CEO of StormX, described the move as a significant step toward merging travel with the crypto ecosystem.
In May, CheapAir.com expanded its crypto payment options to include Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Dash for hotel and flight bookings, in addition to Bitcoin. That decision reflects growing interest among crypto holders in using digital assets for everyday purchases. CheapAir was one of the earliest travel sites to accept Bitcoin, first doing so in 2013.
As cryptocurrencies gain broader acceptance, more people are choosing to spend digital assets rather than simply hold them. Travel—airline tickets, hotels, and related services—remains a compelling use case for converting crypto into real-world experiences.