Canadian low-cost airline Westjet has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that allows passengers to manage certain aspects of their trip.

Called Juliet, the chatbot is available in English and French through Facebook Messenger. It features ‘destination inspiration and discovery’, flight booking and day-of-travel information.

The chatbot is named after one of Westjet’s original aircraft and uses machine learning with a combination of instruction, examples and experience to develop better responses over time.

READ MORE: Airlines with Inflight WiFi 

Westjet says it will continue to add functionality, features and capabilities to Juliet over time, including availability on different platforms and voice interaction.

Alfredo C Tan, chief digital and innovation officer at Westjet, commented:

“Juliet is the first of many ways Westjet will be raising the bar using digital to improve the guest experience, and make the travel journey easier and more enjoyable. A majority of internet users are already using a messenger platform, including Facebook Messenger. Launching Juliet gives even more access to quick, simple support on a platform that a majority of our guests already have at hand.”

Key Features:

1. Booking Flights: You can search for and book flights directly through the chatbot.
2. Manage Bookings: Access existing reservations to make changes or check details.
3. Travel Information: Get information about baggage policies, flight statuses, and WestJet’s services.
4. Customer Support: Provides quick responses to frequently asked questions and redirects to live agents if necessary.
5. Multichannel Availability: Available on platforms like WestJet’s website, app, and social media (e.g., Facebook Messenger).

How to Access:

• Visit WestJet’s website or use the WestJet app.
• Look for the chat option to interact with Juliet.
• You can also find it on WestJet’s social media pages, like Facebook.

Many airlines and travel companies offer chatbots similar to WestJet’s Juliet to assist with booking, inquiries, and customer support. Here’s a list of notable airline and travel-related chatbots:

1. Delta Air Lines – Delta Virtual Assistant

• Features: Flight booking, real-time updates, baggage tracking, and FAQs.
• Platform: Delta app and website.
• Unique Aspect: Integrates seamlessly with Delta SkyMiles for personalized support.

2. Emirates – Emirates Virtual Assistant

• Features: Flight search, booking management, COVID-19 travel updates, and Emirates Skywards account support.
• Platform: Website and app.
• Unique Aspect: Multilingual support and tailored assistance for premium customers.

3. KLM – BB (BlueBot)

• Features: Flight booking, check-in, and travel updates.
• Platform: Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and voice assistants like Google Assistant.
• Unique Aspect: AI-driven yet maintains a conversational tone for a natural user experience.

4. Lufthansa – Mildred

• Features: Helps find the cheapest flights by comparing routes and dates.
• Platform: Facebook Messenger.
• Unique Aspect: focused on flight deal recommendations.

5. AirAsia – AVA (AirAsia Virtual Allstar)

• Features: Self-service for bookings, refunds, itinerary updates, and FAQs.
• Platform: Website, app, and WhatsApp.
• Unique Aspect: Extensive automation with minimal human-agent interaction.

6. British Airways – Betty

• Features: Offers booking information, flight updates, and policy clarifications.
• Platform: Website and Facebook Messenger.
• Unique Aspect: Strong emphasis on real-time flight updates.

7. Ryanair – Chatbot MyRyanair

• Features: Manage bookings, retrieve boarding passes, and clarify policies.
• Platform: Ryanair app and website.
• Unique Aspect: Focuses on low-cost ticket management.

8. Booking.com – Booking Assistant

• Features: Resolves post-booking queries, such as payment issues, date changes, and cancellation policies.
• Platform: Website and app.
• Unique Aspect: Multilingual support and hotel-specific details.

9. Expedia – Expedia Virtual Agent

• Features: Helps with booking flights, hotels, and car rentals, as well as cancellations and refunds.
• Platform: Website, app, and Facebook Messenger.
• Unique Aspect: Synchronizes travel plans across platforms.

10. Hopper – Hopper Chatbot

• Features: Predicts flight and hotel prices, assists in bookings, and sends price alerts.
• Platform: Hopper app.
• Unique Aspect: AI-powered predictive pricing.