Budapest Airport adds “Smart Pass” to bud:connects transfers powered by Kiwi.com

New “Smart Pass” to make virtually interlined transfers easier, allows passengers to access Fast Track Lane free of charge 

Budapest Airport and online travel-tech company Kiwi.com are improving the existing bud:connects transfer program. With the help of “Smart Pass”, virtually interlined passengers can now experience even smoother and more efficient travel.

When a traveler books a Kiwi.com ticket that requires a transfer through Budapest Airport, Kiwi.com now offers a “Smart Pass.” Passengers who are traveling with checked baggage and have a connection of less than three hours can show the Smart Pass QR code to security personnel. This will give travelers access to the Fast Track Lane route at no additional charge, as well as assistance at the bud:connects transfer desk.

Agents at the bud:connects desk help travelers with questions related to Kiwi.com Guarantee

The bud:connects program was launched in August 2019 to deliver a hassle-free experience to all travelers with itineraries connecting through Budapest Airport, as well as Virtually Interlined itineraries from Kiwi.com; which combine flights from airlines that do not normally cooperate.

The bud:connects desk provides passengers not only with transfer information, but also helps them when their travel is disrupted. Customers who travel with Kiwi.com are protected by Kiwi.com Guarantee. In case of delay, schedule change or cancellation, travelers can visit one of “bud:connects powered by Kiwi.com” desks at the airport (in terminals 2A and 2B). Desk agents who were specially trained in Virtual Interlining and Kiwi.com Guarantee will provide travelers with thorough assistance.

“The plane was delayed, and the passenger had a very short connection. I called the gate and escorted her through passport control. When she boarded the plane, she was really happy!” said one of the agents at Budapest Airport.

“Partnering with Kiwi.com is a key element which has seen us create an innovative service in the region”

By providing the passengers with a faster and smoother transfer, Kiwi.com gives Budapest Airport the possibility to increase the number of connections it can facilitate, which leads to even faster growth. Last year, Budapest Airport serviced 110,000 self-connected passengers, a number that is expected to double in the next three years.

“Our desire is to do everything we can to ensure each and every one of our self-connect passengers has the smoothest journey through our airport,” explains Kam Jandu, CCO, Budapest Airport. “Partnering with Kiwi.com is a key element which has seen us create an innovative service in the region. With competitive elapsed journey times we are already seeing an improved passenger journey – results which will help secure future bookings. As this method of travel becomes more popular, we’d encourage other airports to invest in the self-transfer market,” adds Jandu. 

“We are proud to cooperate with Budapest Airport and its bud:connects transfer product. Bringing together Kiwi.com Virtual Interlining technology and state-of-the-art onsite transfer assistance provided by bud:connects staff not only enhances passenger experience for our Kiwi.com customers but also improves connectivity through Budapest airport overal,” comments Zdenek Komenda, CBDO at Kiwi.com.

Both services, bud:connects and “SmartPass,” are available on Kiwi.com’s portal for partners – Tequila. With Tequila, partners of all sizes can start selling Virtually Interlined flights, buses and trains from the Kiwi.com’s inventory almost immediately, and benefit from all the tools the innovative company invented so far. Check out the Tequila portal, registration is free.