Mobile Applications

Native iOS and Android applications for booking, check-in, and trip management.

Scope

Core Features

  • Flight search and booking
  • Manage reservations
  • Mobile check-in
  • Digital boarding passes
  • Flight status and notifications
  • Loyalty program access

Mobile-Specific Features

  • Push notifications
  • Wallet integration (Apple/Google)
  • Biometric authentication
  • Offline boarding pass
  • Location-based services
  • Camera for document scanning

Platform Coverage

  • iOS (iPhone, iPad)
  • Android (phones, tablets)
  • Tablet-optimized layouts
  • Watch apps (status, boarding)

Research Topics

  • Native vs. cross-platform decision
  • Offline-first architecture
  • Push notification strategies
  • Wallet pass generation
  • Deep linking implementation
  • App store optimization
  • Mobile analytics
  • Biometric authentication patterns

Architecture Considerations

Technology Options

ApproachProsCons
Native (Swift/Kotlin)Best performance, full API accessDual codebase
React NativeCode sharing, large communityBridge overhead
FlutterSingle codebase, good perfSmaller ecosystem
Kotlin MultiplatformShared business logicUI still separate
src/
├── components/          # Shared UI components
├── screens/            # Screen components
├── navigation/         # React Navigation setup
├── services/           # API and native modules
├── store/              # Redux state
├── hooks/              # Custom hooks
├── utils/              # Helpers
└── native/             # Platform-specific code
    ├── ios/
    └── android/

Offline Support

Online Mode:
  API Request → Server → Response → Update Cache → UI

Offline Mode:
  User Action → Queue Action → Update Local State → UI

Sync (when online):
  Process Queue → Reconcile → Update UI

Data Caching

DataStorageSync
User profileSecure storageOn login
BookingsSQLiteOn app open
Boarding passesSecure storageReal-time
Flight statusMemoryEvery 5 min

Integration Points

SystemDirectionPurpose
Booking APIBidirectionalSearch, book, manage
Push ServiceInboundNotifications
Wallet APIOutboundPass generation
AnalyticsOutboundEvent tracking
LoyaltyBidirectionalFFP features

Push Notifications

Notification Types

TypeTriggerPriority
Flight statusDelay/gate changeHigh
Check-in open24h beforeHigh
BoardingBoarding startHigh
Booking confirmAfter paymentNormal
PromotionsMarketingLow

Implementation

  • APNs (iOS)
  • FCM (Android)
  • Rich notifications (images, actions)
  • Silent push for data sync
  • Notification preferences

Wallet Integration

Apple Wallet

PKPass Structure:
├── pass.json          # Pass data
├── manifest.json      # File hashes
├── signature          # Apple signature
├── icon.png           # App icon
├── logo.png           # Pass logo
└── strip.png          # Header image

Google Pay

  • JWT-based passes
  • Save to Phone API
  • Real-time updates
  • Location-based alerts

Security

Authentication

  • Biometric (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint)
  • PIN fallback
  • OAuth 2.0 + refresh tokens
  • Secure token storage

Data Protection

  • Keychain (iOS) / Keystore (Android)
  • Certificate pinning
  • Encrypted local database
  • No sensitive data in logs

Performance Targets

MetricTarget
App launch (cold)<2s
App launch (warm)<1s
Search response<3s
Memory usage<150MB
Battery impactMinimal
App size<50MB

App Store Considerations

Compliance

  • App Store Guidelines
  • Google Play policies
  • Accessibility requirements
  • Privacy labels

Release Process

  • Beta testing (TestFlight, Internal Track)
  • Staged rollout
  • Version management
  • Crash monitoring
  • User reviews response