LIFT integrates digital wallets and cryptocurrency payments Into booking platform

LIFT, a South African airline, updated its website booking infrastructure to accept Apple Pay, Google Pay and cryptocurrency. The deployment establishes the carrier as the first airline in the country to offer both digital wallets directly on its desktop and mobile platforms.

The cryptocurrency option functions through Ozow, a payment platform. This transaction expansion aligns with domestic adoption metrics outlined in the Financial Stability Report, which noted that cryptocurrency users in South Africa reached nearly 7.8 million by July 2025.

“Our research showed that South Africans are quickly adapting to various payment methods for their purchases, favouring speed and security when making payments, while embracing digital wallets,” says Cilliers Jordaan, Chief Commercial Officer at LIFT. “The strong adoption of our LIFT Wallet demonstrated early on that our customers value convenience, flexibility, and control when booking their travel. Expanding our payment ecosystem was a natural next step for us.”

“This is just another way we continue to elevate the travel experience for our customers. First, we offered our LIFT Wallet, flexible bookings and easy flight changes, now we’re making the payment process that much easier. Whether our travellers prefer cards, digital wallets, cryptocurrency or other payment solutions, we’re committed to giving them the flexibility to choose how they want to pay for their flights,” concludes Jordaan.

Prior to implementing these external payment mechanisms, the airline accommodated alternative digital transactions through its proprietary LIFT Wallet system.