Panasonic Avionics is to add NFC to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems it supplies to airlines, providing a way for passengers and crew to make contactless payments and for passengers to access a range of personalized travel benefits.

The technology is designed to be integrated with other airline industry NFC initiatives in baggage handling, check in and airport logistics, Panasonic says, with the aim of delivering an integrated, seamless travel experience.

As well as using their NFC device to make payments, passengers will be able to pair their mobile phone with the IFE system to identify themselves, sync their preferences with the system “to create just-for-me experiences” and access frequent flyer benefits such as free WiFi.

Airlines will also be able to “push information to passengers during their flight” while crew will be able to check in and out of duty via NFC.

“This new technology will allow passengers around the world to personalize their travel experience and intensify their relationship with their airline in incredibly valuable ways,” says Panasonic Avionics CEO Paul Margis.

The company “will be launching the technology with airlines in the summer of 2015″, Panasonic adds.