XRP News Today: XRP Takes Flight: Air China Aims to Revolutionize Loyalty Rewards with Blockchain

Air China has announced plans to introduce XRP payment support for over 60 million members of its PhoenixMiles loyalty program through a strategic partnership with Webus International. Webus International, a Nasdaq-listed firm, disclosed the collaboration earlier this week, with the integration expected to expand access to XRP-based payment solutions on its travel brand Wetour’s overseas platform. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance cross-border transaction efficiency and provide members with blockchain-enabled benefits, such as tokenized rewards and digital vouchers [1].

The partnership between Webus and Air China will primarily focus on offering premium chauffeur and airport transfer services. However, a key highlight of the alliance is the integration of XRP as a payment option, which Webus hopes will streamline international settlements. Wetour’s platform already supports XRP and Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, allowing users to obtain promotional coupons and product vouchers using digital assets [1].

Webus International is no stranger to XRP-related initiatives. In June, it filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish a $300 million XRP treasury reserve, a move that aligns with its broader strategy to leverage the XRP Ledger (XRPL) for frictionless cross-border payments. The XRP Ledger has gained traction in the crypto industry for its speed, with transactions settling in 3–5 seconds and fees under a cent per transfer [1].

Legal expert Bill Morgan, a proponent of XRP adoption, commented on the announcement, emphasizing that while some critics may question the lack of explicit mention of XRP in transactional contexts, the partnership still represents meaningful real-world adoption. “For me, it shows adoption of XRP,” Morgan stated, acknowledging the significance of the initiative despite semantic scrutiny [1].

However, the integration of XRP into Air China’s loyalty program remains conditional on future business developments and regulatory approvals. The Chinese government’s stringent stance on cryptocurrency transactions, which includes an outright ban on domestic crypto trading and payments, restricts the scope of the initiative to international operations. This limitation means that XRP payments will likely be available only through Wetour’s overseas services, where regulations permit such transactions [2].

This strategic shift aligns with a growing trend among airlines to explore blockchain and digital assets to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement. For example, other international carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways have experimented with crypto-based loyalty tokens and payments in recent years. The adoption of XRP by a state-owned airline like Air China also reflects the cautious yet increasing interest in blockchain technology among traditional financial institutions, particularly in cross-border services [2].

The XRP-powered payment solution is expected to benefit PhoenixMiles members by providing faster and more secure transactions, reducing reliance on traditional banking systems, and enabling more flexible reward mechanisms through tokenization. If implemented successfully, the integration could serve as a model for other airlines seeking to modernize their payment and loyalty systems using blockchain technology. However, the initiative’s success will largely depend on regulatory clarity, global acceptance of XRP, and continued innovation in the XRP ecosystem [1].

Source: [1] Air China to Explore XRP Payment Solutions for 60M+ (https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/09/05/air-china-to-explore-xrp-payment-solutions-for-60m-members/) [2] How Realistic Is Air China's XRP Payment Integration Plan? (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1101172-20250906)