ANA to Enhance Airport Communication Services with New Interactive Translator “POCKETALK”

Dec. 18, 2019

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-Star airline for seven consecutive years, is bringing the advanced interactive translator POCKETALK produced by SOURCENEXT, to Japanese airports in order to help ANA ground staff and international passengers better communicate. The first POCKETALK devices will be featured at the lobby and boarding gates of Osaka International Itami Airport starting on December 18, and a total of 200 devices will be featured across all 50 domestic Japanese airports. The introduction of POCKETALK is the latest effort by ANA to stay at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

POCKETALK is a portable real-time language translator that will enable ANA ground staff in domestic airports to communicate with all of its passengers instantly and naturally – no matter what language they speak. It has the ability to translate up to 74*1 languages including various dialects and commonly used idiomatic phrases. By using this device, ANA staff will be better equipped to communicate with passengers in situations where a linguistic barrier may have previously existed.

“ANA is constantly looking for opportunities to improve the passenger’s travel experience, and that includes taking steps to make our service at airports as inclusive and convenient as possible,” said Masaki Yokai, Senior Vice President of ANA. “Our commitment to service and Japanese hospitality has inspired us to look at innovative ways to use technology to enhance the passenger experience. Providing POCKETALK to our staff will simplify communication with global travelers and allow them to better meet passenger needs.”

The use of POCKETALK is the latest effort by ANA to highlight its commitment to reducing barriers and creating a more connected world.