Finer Aviation advances its global payments infrastructure with Swapin
Executive Summary:
Finer Aviation serves international clients with high-value, time-sensitive charter needs. Building on its partnership with Swapin, the company has scaled crypto payments into a reliable part of its payment infrastructure, with crypto now accounting for around 10% of total transactions, particularly for larger and cross-border bookings.
About Finer Aviation:
Finer Aviation is a private aviation company specializing in bespoke charter solutions for international clients. Operating across Europe and beyond, the company serves a global, high-net-worth customer base that values speed, discretion, and operational reliability when booking high-value flights.
With a focus on complex, cross-border itineraries and time-sensitive travel, Finer Aviation works with clients whose payment expectations often extend beyond traditional banking rails. This global operating model makes flexibility in payments a practical requirement rather than a differentiator, particularly for international and last-minute bookings.
The challenge:
Payments sit at the center of the customer experience for Finer Aviation. The business operates globally, manages high-value bookings, and serves clients who move quickly across borders, sometimes outside standard banking hours.
Requests to pay in cryptocurrency became more frequent as the customer base became increasingly international. What started as an occasional preference among a small group of tech-savvy clients gradually expanded to include high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and frequent flyers who were already using crypto as part of their financial stack.
In some cases, traditional payments such as bank transfer and credit cards meant high-fees and delayed settlement, especially when it’s an international transaction. However, at the time, not many crypto payment options were capable for regulated, high-ticket businesses and lacked the operational expertise for large, cross-border transactions.
Finer Aviation needed a way to include crypto payment options without building a solution from scratch.
The solution:
Finer Aviation partnered with Swapin to integrate crypto payments as a core part of its payment infrastructure. The goal was to offer customers a modern payment option that felt as dependable as traditional rails, while meeting the operational standards required for high-value aviation bookings.
With Swapin, Finer Aviation could now accept large and time-sensitive cryptocurrency payments without disrupting existing workflows. Customers could pay using popular cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as businesses retained visibility and control over settlement and reconciliation.
The results:
With Swapin, Finer Aviation turned crypto from an occasional request into a reliable part of its payments infrastructure. The impact shows up across customer demand, transaction behavior, and operational confidence.
Crypto becomes a practical payment option for high-value bookings
Cryptocurrency now accounts for around 10% of total transactions, especially amongst international clients, frequent flyers, and high-net-worth individuals. For larger bookings, where speed, flexibility, and predictability matter, crypto payments have managed to find a much needed use case.
By supporting widely used cryptocurrencies and stablecoins through Swapin, Finer Aviation made crypto payments feel as dependable as card or bank transfers, rather than a special case that required extra handling.
Faster, more predictable payments for time-sensitive flights
Crypto payments are most commonly selected for last-minute and time-critical bookings, particularly when traditional banking timelines or card fees introduce friction. Settlement reliability and availability outside standard banking hours have allowed customers to move quickly without compromising security or certainty.
A broader customer base with modern payment expectations
The profile of crypto-paying customers has expanded significantly. While early adoption came from tech-savvy individuals, crypto is now regularly used by businesses and younger high-net-worth clients who already expect digital-first payment options.
Customers increasingly ask about crypto proactively, signaling a shift in expectations and reinforcing the importance of offering payment methods that align with how global clients already manage their finances.
Crypto that scales without operational complexity
Integrating crypto through Swapin allowed Finer Aviation to support this growing demand without changing how internal teams operate. Settlement, reconciliation, and reporting fit cleanly into existing workflows, giving the business confidence to scale crypto usage alongside other payment methods.
Day-to-day operations at Finer Aviations
Behind these results is a clear shift in how customers approach payments and how crypto fits into Finer Aviation’s daily operations.
In the interview below, Laura Green, Managing Director at Finer Aviation, shares how customer demand has evolved, which booking scenarios drive crypto usage, and how digital assets have become a practical part of the company’s payments mix.
Customer growth and demand
Q: How would you describe the mix of customers using crypto payments today compared to when you first launched them?
Laura: Back in 2021, when we first ventured into accepting cryptocurrency, it felt groundbreaking with just one or two customers opting for this payment option. Now, just a few years on, nearly every broker/operator in our space acknowledges the growing significance of this market. The transformation from a novelty to a mainstream option speaks volumes about the evolving nature of consumer behaviour and market demands. We are now regularly asked if we accept crypto payments from a variety of customers.
Q: Which customer profiles are most likely to pay in crypto (international, repeat flyers, first-time clients, younger HNWIs, etc.)?
Laura: Initially, our early adopters were predominantly tech savvy individuals. However, the landscape has broadened. Today, high net worth individuals (HNWIs), businesses and frequent flyers are increasingly opting for crypto payments. Younger HNWIs still remain significantly higher than other groups, being more inclined to leverage technology and digital currencies, seeking seamless, safe and modern solutions.
Q: In what situations do customers tend to choose crypto over other payment methods?
Laura: Clients often turn to crypto payments for many instances such as last minute bookings, reliability or substantial transactions and avoiding credit card fees. Ultimately, once a customer experiences a secure, reliable crypto transaction, alongside an elevated service, there’s a confidence in using this option every time.
Q: What role does crypto play for customers who are booking with you for the first time?
Laura: For first time clients, the availability of crypto payments can foster a sense of trust and modernity, appealing to those who value innovative solutions. In high value or time sensitive situations, security and transaction speed become crucial, making crypto an attractive option.
Q: In high-value or time-sensitive bookings, how do customers typically decide on their payment method?
Laura: We routinely handle high-value, time sensitive bookings, and the choice of payment methods varies based on individual circumstances and currency considerations. For instance, while some customers are willing to incur credit card fees, others prefer wire transfers or cryptocurrency payments where possible.
Transaction share and growth
Q: Approximately what share of transactions are completed using crypto today?
Laura: The recent increase in cryptocurrency transactions indicates a significant shift towards broader acceptance within our industry and among our clientele. Currently, cryptocurrencies represent approximately 10% of our total transactions, showcasing considerable growth potential as awareness and acceptance continue to expand.
Q: How does average transaction size differ across payment methods?
Laura: Customers using crypto often engage in larger bookings, which is indicative of the profile of users who prefer this method.
Popular cryptocurrencies
Q: Which cryptocurrencies are most commonly used by customers?
Laura: Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most commonly utilised cryptocurrencies in our transactions, with stablecoins gaining traction due to their relative stability. This trend highlights the importance of staying updated on the evolving landscape of digital currencies.
Managing business and customer expectations
Q: What does offering crypto signal to your international or high-net-worth clients?
Laura: Offering cryptocurrency as a payment option sends a powerful signal to our clients about our commitment to innovation and adaptability. It appeals particularly to younger, tech savvy clients and international travellers, reinforcing Finer Aviation’s position as a forward thinking leader in the private air charter industry.
Q: How do you expect crypto to fit into your payments mix over the next 12-24 months?
Laura: Looking ahead, over the next 12-24 months, we can anticipate that cryptocurrencies will play an increasingly prominent role in our payment methods. Continuous customer satisfaction alongside a secure and reliable payment platform can only build this emerging market, and embracing this trend not only enhances our customer experience but also positions Finer Aviation as a leader in adopting modern and safe payment solutions.
