To minimise touchpoints and promote safe and healthy environments for customers and employees, US FBO network TAC Air has partnered with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) to launch the private aviation industry's first digital newspaper amenity programme.

Prior to March 2020, it was common for travellers to read printed newspaper copies while lounging in TAC Air FBO terminals and aboard their flights. Working through the summer to address the issues of additional shared touch points, TAC Air partnered with WSJ to identify and deliver a touchless solution for delivery of news to travelling business executives.

“We have historically offered WSJ to our customers, but recently we had to limit the distribution of printed materials in the FBO terminals and aboard customers' aircraft,” explains TAC Air COO Joe Gibney. “We collaborated with WSJ to create a solution that would respond to the customer need for world-class news while we follow new cleanliness guidelines and protocols. By partnering with WSJ for digital newspaper distribution in our FBO terminals, it is a win-win for everyone: customers, WSJ and TAC Air.”

The Text-to-Me (TTM) programme is a downloadable PDF of the day's newspaper. Customers scan a QR or text a numeric code using their phone or tablet to connect and begin reading The Wall Street Journal for 24-hour access. TTM is portable and Wi-Fi is not required.

“We responded to the challenge of TAC customers' preferences for a contactless and print amenity choice,” says Lisa Stuart, director of national accounts for The Wall Street Journal. “Text-to-Me was the perfect solution to satisfy a contactless newspaper experience, while maintaining print copies for those still preferring a newspaper. The Wall Street Journal is proud to be partnering with TAC Air to provide its customers with a choice, a WSJ My Way dynamic, that speaks to its desire to provide an exceptional customer experience.”