How different industries use eSIMs to boost their business

Airalo Partners is trusted by over 5,000 partners worldwide. We work hand in hand with our partners to elevate their customers' experiences and connect the world.

We’ve seen firsthand the impact eSIMs can have across industries. That’s why we created this guide — to inspire you to add a product that not only enhances your offerings but also taps into the growing demand for eSIMs.

The eSIM market isn’t just booming — it’s evolving in step with your customers’ needs. From major airlines to global banks, industries are adopting eSIMs to deliver seamless connectivity and open new revenue streams. 

In this article, you’ll see how different sectors are leading the way with eSIM technology and what it could mean for your business.

1. Airlines
2. Tour operators and travel agencies
3. Fintech and banks
4. Rental cars and fleet management
5. Airport retail stores and lounges
6. MVNOs
   
7. SMBs and Enterprise

1. Airlines: A new way to connect passengers

For travelers, booking a flight is the first step of an adventure. However, staying connected is their first priority once they land. Airlines have a unique opportunity to enhance the travel experience from the moment a ticket is booked.

eSIMs help airlines position their brand as a tech-forward leader. They extend the customer experience beyond the flight, from takeoff to the return home.

Example

Mark is booking a flight to the UK and conveniently adds an eSIM to his purchase during checkout. When he lands at Heathrow, he simply activates his eSIM and is instantly connected. The airline not only earned ancillary revenue but also positioned itself as a modern, traveler-focused brand, ensuring Mark's trip in London started with instant connectivity, 

Why eSIMs benefit the airline industry

• Enhance the overall travel experience, making it more seamless and stress-free.
• Strengthen brand reputation and build customer loyalty.
• Provide a relevant and needed product for passengers.
• Create a new and profitable ancillary revenue stream.
• Align naturally with the customer's journey.

How airlines have added eSIMs to their business

The digital nature of eSIMs offers several easy options for you to add them to your customer journey.

• Offer eSIMs as an add-on: Use Airalo's Partner Integrations (API, SDK, etc.) to include eSIM purchases during the flight booking process. This is similar to buying a seat upgrade or extra baggage.
• Boost loyalty programs: Use our Airalo Partner Integrations or co-branding website to award frequent flyer miles when members purchase an eSIM.
• Leverage co-branded partnerships: Create a co-branded website with a recognized eSIM provider like Airalo. You can offer exclusive discounts to airline customers.
• Keep cabin crew connected: Use the Airalo for Business corporate solution to provide employees with global connectivity plans. This can reduce international roaming expenses by up to 90%.

Examples of how airlines have integrated eSIMs

• Gulf Air partnered with Airalo and uses its membership awards program, giving FalconFlyer members the option to redeem points for an eSIM, ensuring they stay connected during their travels.

2. Tour operators and travel agencies: The ultimate travel companion

Tour operators and travel agencies thrive on creating memorable and worry-free trips. They handle the logistics, so their customers don’t have to. Ensuring travelers stay connected is a crucial part of this journey.

eSIMs are a natural add-on product that does not require physical storage. They are easily distributed and cover destinations worldwide. With varied package durations available, eSIMs adapt to every type of tour. 

By integrating eSIMs into their packages, tour companies become the ultimate travel companion. For example, a tour company that promotes a trip to Thailand can stand out from competitors by including an eSIM in the tour package.

Example: 

Maria booked a tour that included a complimentary regional eSIM in her welcome packet. When she arrived in Bangkok, she was instantly connected. This allowed her to easily navigate, share real-time updates of her trip, and stay in touch with her tour group leader. The agency enhanced her journey, strengthened its reputation, and ensured she could share her positive experience.

Why eSIMs benefit tour operators and travel agencies

Here are the benefits eSIMs provide to tour operators and agencies, and their customers:

• Build stronger customer loyalty: Ensure clients can always share their travel experiences.
• Differentiate your tour packages: Provide a valuable differentiator in a competitive market.
• Tap into new revenue streams: Create a new revenue stream with no logistics or development required.
• Control profit margins: Set your own price above our minimum selling price and use your own selling strategies that match your business needs.

How tour operators and travel agencies have added eSIMs to their business

• Include an eSIM as part of a travel package to differentiate your tour offering.
• Sell eSIM data plans as a premium upgrade for an existing tour.
• Offer a complimentary eSIM for your most valuable clients.

3. Travel and health insurance: Safety and peace of mind abroad

Travelers who purchase health or travel insurance seek peace of mind. Offering customers an eSIM provides a valuable layer of safety while they are abroad. This makes the eSIM a relevant, purchase-ready product for a customer who is already planning their trip.

Travel and health insurance companies specializing in travel plans can provide this critical service. By including an eSIM, they ensure their customers can contact them for emergencies, claims, and support from any location. This added layer of security gives travelers and their families peace of mind.

Example:

Sarah is traveling to Japan for the first time. Before her trip, she purchases a travel health insurance plan. The insurance company offers her a bundled eSIM data plan, which she can install on her phone before she leaves. When she arrives in Tokyo, she immediately has internet access. Later, she needs to contact her insurance provider about a minor medical issue. She can do so instantly through a secure video call without worrying about finding Wi-Fi or paying expensive roaming fees.

Why eSIMs benefit health insurance companies

• Ensure customers can always contact family and friends in an emergency, no matter their location.
• Offer an added layer of safety and peace of mind for customers.
• Streamline communication for claims, updates, and support.
• Align perfectly with the customer's planning and travel journey.

How health insurance companies have added eSIMs to their business

• Bundle an eSIM with a travel health insurance plan.
• Offer an eSIM as a premium upgrade for a travel plan.

4. Fintech and banks: Secure connectivity for global customers

For financial institutions, keeping customers engaged and loyal is key. These organizations are always looking for products that are relevant, easy to access, and useful. eSIMs help fintech companies and banks capitalize on their customers' travel patterns and solve a common problem for global users.

For customers traveling abroad, secure and reliable internet access is crucial for banking. Financial institutions can use eSIMs to enhance security and offer valuable customer perks. By providing a secure connectivity plan, they ensure customers can access banking apps without relying on risky public Wi-Fi, which can lead to fraud and data breaches.

Example:

Alex is a frequent traveler who uses a premium credit card. Their bank offers a special loyalty perk where they can redeem points for a free eSIM data plan for their next trip. Before flying to Italy, Alex uses their bank's app to easily get an eSIM. When they land, they use their bank's secure connection to check their account balance, make a secure payment, and find a nearby ATM. They do not have to worry about public Wi-Fi or expensive roaming fees. The bank provides a valuable service and reinforces its brand as a trusted travel companion.

Why eSIMs benefit fintech and banks

• Enhance security: Ensure customers can securely access their banking apps without relying on risky public Wi-Fi.
• Complement travel bundles: Add a valuable, travel-centric service that complements core financial offerings like currency exchange and travel insurance.
• Build customer loyalty: Increase trust and relevance by offering a useful and accessible product that extends the customer journey beyond financial operations.

How fintech and banks have added eSIMs to their business

• Offer an eSIM as a perk for premium credit card holders or loyalty program members.
• Include a discount on an eSIM as part of a travel bundle.

5. Rental cars and fleet management: Stay connected on the road

When travelers land in a new destination, car rental companies are often their first point of contact in an unfamiliar environment. These companies can offer a bundled eSIM data plan with their vehicles. This gives customers instant GPS access and reliable connectivity for their road trip.

Example:

Anne is renting a car for a week-long trip to Mexico and can purchase an eSIM for the duration of her rental. The eSIM provides reliable data, ensuring she can use navigation apps, stream music, and stay connected without worrying about finding Wi-Fi or getting lost.

Why eSIMs benefit rental car companies

• Improve the navigation experience for customers: Provide a valuable, high-demand service that enhances the customer experience.
• Create a new revenue stream: Sell a new product with minimal operational effort.
• Stand out from competitors: Differentiate your rental offer from competitors.

How rental car companies have added eSIMs to their business

• Offer a discounted eSIM as a convenient upsell during the booking process.
• Provide a complimentary data plan for premium rentals.

6. Airport retail: Instant connectivity for last-minute travelers

For last-minute or window-shopping travelers, airport shops and kiosks are the perfect places to solve a common problem: connectivity. Airport retailers are in a prime position to remind travelers about their need for connectivity abroad. 

Example:

George is about to board a flight to Italy and realizes he has not planned for connectivity. He stops at an airport convenience store and sees an eSIM for Europe. He can scan a QR code at the checkout counter, purchase the plan, and install it on his phone before he even boards the plane.

Why eSIMs benefit airport retailers

• Improve the travel journey: Provide an easy, low-maintenance product that caters directly to the needs of travelers.
• Sell a product that is in growing demand: Create an additional sales channel and a new revenue stream.
• Offer flexible eSIM packages: Cater to a wide range of travelers with no need for physical storage or inventory management.

How airport retailers have added eSIMs to their business

• Sell branded eSIMs at checkout counters.
• Offer eSIM discounts during promotions or seasonal travel.

7. MVNOs: A digital-first approach to connectivity

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) face the challenge of capturing revenue from silent roamers. These are subscribers who turn off their data to avoid high roaming fees. eSIMs are the solution for MVNOs to offer their customers connectivity abroad without having to invest in network infrastructure.

Example

An MVNO could offer its customers an international travel add-on. Instead of paying expensive roaming fees, the customer can purchase a travel eSIM plan directly through their existing MVNO app. This ensures they stay connected abroad without switching providers.

Why eSIMs benefit MVNOs

• Capture silent roamers: Turn silent roamers into active revenue streams.
• Offer affordable travel packages: flexible and cost-effective plans without the logistical costs of physical SIM cards.
• Improve the customer experience: Make it easier to onboard new customers and manage global services.
• Tap into growing eSIM demand: Attract the growing market of international travelers looking for seamless connectivity.

How MVNOs have added eSIMs to their business

• Include travel eSIMs in their product portfolio.
• Add on eSIM purchases for customers traveling abroad directly from your company offers. 
• Give customers access to multiple networks without needing to buy or swap out physical SIM cards.

8. SMBs and enterprises with traveling teams

Managing connectivity for employees who travel can be a major challenge for businesses of all sizes. The high cost of roaming, a lack of visibility into data usage, and the administrative burden of expense reports all add up. A business eSIM solution saves companies time and money.

Example: 

A marketing agency sends a team to a global conference. Each employee no longer has to purchase their own roaming plan. The company provides them with an eSIM plan through Airalo for Business that is sent directly to their phone. The team gets instant connectivity. The company tracks and manages all data usage from one central dashboard. This saves money and streamlines their expense process.

Why a business eSIM solution benefits SMBs and enterprises

• Reduce costs: Eliminate expensive roaming charges by up to 90% with affordable, prepaid connectivity plans.
• Streamline management: Use a central dashboard to manage plans, purchase and assign eSIMs, track usage, and control spending for all traveling employees.
• Increase productivity: Ensure employees have reliable connectivity, so they can work effectively from anywhere.
• Simplify accounting: Eliminate the need for expense reports and reimbursements for roaming plans.
• Enhance security: Avoid the risks of public Wi-Fi by providing a secure, private connection.

FAQs

What partnership models does Airalo Partners offer?

We offer different partnership models to best fit your business needs. Our eSIM partnership solutions include:

• Partner Integrations (API, SDK, eCommerce plugins)
• Reseller solutions 
• Co-branded websites
• Airalo for Business

My industry isn't listed. Can I still add eSIMs to my offer?

Absolutely. If your business interacts with global or mobile users, there’s likely a way to add eSIMs to your offering.

Is Airalo Partners part of Airalo?

Yes, Airalo Partners is the B2B/B2B2C extension of Airalo, the world’s leading eSIM provider.