LONDON and WASHINGTON — March 10, 2026

Executive Summary

Hands In, a United Kingdom–based split payment solutions provider, and UATP, a global network that enables organizations to simplify payments and expand payment options, have announced a strategic partnership focused on enabling airlines to activate split payment functionality through UATP’s Ceptor® platform. The collaboration allows airlines to integrate Hands In’s proprietary split payments application programming interface (API), enabling the combination of multiple cards, payment methods, and payers within a single transaction.

Through the partnership, airlines will be able to offer travelers the option to divide the cost of flight bookings and related ancillary services at checkout without requiring internal development work to support the capability. The integration is designed to operate within airlines’ existing payment infrastructure by embedding Hands In’s technology directly into the Ceptor platform.

According to the companies, the partnership aims to support modern airline retailing strategies by providing additional payment flexibility while maintaining operational continuity within existing systems. The capability enables airlines to offer shared payment options across multiple cards and payment methods within one purchase transaction.

Announcement Overview

Hands In and UATP have announced a global partnership designed to expand payment flexibility within the airline industry by enabling split payments through the Ceptor platform. The collaboration allows airlines to activate Hands In’s split payments API within UATP’s payments infrastructure, enabling travelers to combine multiple cards, payers, and payment methods into a single transaction.

The integration is intended to operate within airlines’ existing checkout systems. By embedding the Hands In capability directly into UATP’s Ceptor platform, the partnership allows airlines to add split payment functionality without replacing or restructuring their current payment architecture.

The companies indicated that the collaboration connects UATP’s aviation payments infrastructure with Hands In’s split payment technology. The capability allows airlines to provide customers with additional payment options at checkout while maintaining compatibility with their existing systems and operational processes.

According to the announcement, the integration is designed to support transactions across flight purchases and ancillary services offered during the booking process. The functionality allows multiple contributors or payment methods to be combined to complete a single purchase.

The partnership reflects ongoing development in airline payment systems as carriers continue to expand digital retailing capabilities and customer payment options within their booking environments.

Key Announcement Details

• Announcement Type: Strategic partnership
• Partnership Participants: Hands In and UATP
• Announcement Date: March 10, 2026
• Announcement Locations: London and Washington

Partnership Structure

• Partnership Model: Strategic technology and payments infrastructure partnership
• Purpose of Partnership: Enable airlines to activate split payment functionality
• Integration Framework: Hands In split payments API integrated into UATP Ceptor® platform
• Deployment Environment: Airline payment checkout systems
• Integration Method: Embedded directly into existing payments infrastructure
• Operational Scope: Global airline network
• Target Industry: Airline and travel payments sector

Technology Integration

• Split Payment Technology Provider: Hands In
• Payments Infrastructure Provider: UATP
• Platform Used: Ceptor® platform
• Technology Type: Proprietary split payments API
• API Function: Enables multiple payment instruments within a single transaction
• Payment Combination Capability: Multiple cards
• Payment Combination Capability: Multiple payers
• Payment Combination Capability: Multiple payment methods
• Transaction Structure: One payment transaction composed of multiple payment sources

Checkout and Payment Functionality

• Checkout Capability Introduced: Split payments at airline checkout
• Transaction Type Supported: Airline ticket purchases
• Transaction Type Supported: Ancillary travel services
• Checkout Environment: Airline booking checkout flow
• Operational Requirement: No new complex integration required by airlines
• Internal Development Requirement: Airlines do not need to build split payment functionality internally
• Architecture Compatibility: Works within existing airline payment architecture

Merchant and Airline Benefits

• Commerce Capability: Recover transactions lost due to insufficient funds
• Commerce Capability: Recover transactions lost due to card limits
• Purchase Capability: Enables larger purchases
• Booking Capability: Enables shared bookings
• Revenue Capability: Ability to grow ancillary revenue
• Conversion Capability: Ability to increase conversion rates
• Approval Capability: Ability to increase payment approval rates
• Customer Experience Capability: Airlines maintain control over their branded checkout environment

Traveler Payment Capabilities

• Traveler Payment Option: Split cost of flights between cards
• Traveler Payment Option: Split cost of flights between payment methods
• Traveler Payment Option: Split cost between multiple payers
• Traveler Payment Use Case: Shared travel purchases
• Traveler Benefit: Increased financial flexibility
• Traveler Benefit: Payment transparency

Industry Context Stated

• Commerce Sector Reference: Travel sector
• Commerce Sector Reference: High-value commerce sectors
• Industry Trend Mentioned: Increasing demand for flexible payment options
• Industry Context: Airline retailing innovation
• Industry Context: Airline digital transformation

Strategic Positioning Statements

• UATP Positioning: Leader in aviation payments infrastructure
• Hands In Positioning: Rapidly adopted split payment functionality provider
• Platform Integrity Statement: Integration preserves integrity and reliability of the UATP network
• Technology Objective: Modernize airline checkout
• Architecture Objective: Avoid disruption to existing airline payment systems

Operational Scale

• Technology Availability: Accessible at global scale
• Deployment Channel: UATP Ceptor platform
• Customer Segment: Airlines connected to UATP network

Hands In Company Details

• Company Type: Payment solutions company
• Headquarters: United Kingdom
• Core Product: Split payment enablement technology
• Primary Function: Combine multiple cards, payment methods, and payers into one payment
• Primary Industry Focus: Travel industry payments
• Founding Year: 2022
• Merchant Capability: Unlock incremental revenue from additional sales at checkout
• Merchant Capability: Recover declined payments without changing payment stack

UATP Organization Details

• Organization Type: Global payments network
• Network Model: Closed-loop network
• Primary Function: Simplify payments in complex industries
• Payment Capability: Enable businesses to make or accept any type of payment
• Business Objective: Help organizations open new markets
• Business Objective: Drive growth
• Business Objective: Reduce costs for participants

UATP Network Participants

UATP payments network serves:

• Issuers
• Merchants
• Vendors
• Agents
• Aggregators

UATP Payment Innovation Infrastructure

• Innovation Objective: Connect companies to new forms of payment (AFPs)
• Technology Reliability Statement: Proven global payments technology
• Industry Experience: Decades of payments industry experience

UATP Data and Analytics Tools

• Data Tool: DataStream®
• Data Tool: DataMine®
• Data Tool Purpose: Provide comprehensive account details
• Users of Data Tools: Issuers and corporate account holders

UATP Corporate Travel Acceptance Network

UATP accounts are accepted worldwide by:

• Airlines
• Travel agencies
• Amtrak®

UATP Account Issuers Mentioned

• Aeromexico
• AERTiCKET
• Air Canada
• Air China
• Air New Zealand
• Air Niugini
• AirPlus International
• Akbar Travels
• American Airlines
• APG Airlines
• APG Pay
• Austrian Airlines
• BCD Travel
• China Eastern Airlines
• ConnexPay
• Delta Air Lines
• EL AL Israel Airlines
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Fareportal
• Flight Centre Travel Group
• Frontier Airlines
• GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
• Hahn Air
• High Point Travel
• Hopper
• Japan Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• LATAM Airlines
• MakeMyTrip
• Qantas Airways
• Shandong Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• TUIfly GmbH
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• Wego
• WestJet
• Wings Global Travel
• W2 by GO7

Leadership Statements

• Hands In Executive Quoted: Samuel Flynn
• Title: Chief Executive Officer
• Statement Focus: Airlines prefer functionality operating within existing infrastructure
• Operational Challenge Mentioned: Reconciliation complexity when accepting split payments
• UATP Executive Quoted: Ralph Kaiser
• Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
• Statement Focus: Enhancing payment flexibility for travelers

Websites

• Hands In Website: https://www.handsin.com
• UATP Website: https://www.uatp.com

Strategic Context

The partnership between Hands In and UATP focuses on expanding payment capabilities within airline checkout systems by introducing split payment functionality through existing payments infrastructure.

According to the announcement, airlines using UATP’s Ceptor platform will be able to activate Hands In’s split payment technology directly within their payment flow. The integration allows transactions to be divided across multiple payment instruments or contributors without requiring airlines to redesign their existing payment architecture.

The capability enables transactions that combine several payment methods, including multiple cards or payers, within a single booking transaction. This functionality applies to both flight purchases and ancillary services offered during the booking process.

Across travel and other high-value commerce sectors, the companies noted that split payment capabilities can help merchants process transactions that might otherwise not complete due to card limits or insufficient funds. The capability also allows travelers to distribute the cost of purchases between multiple payment sources or contributors.

By embedding the functionality within UATP’s Ceptor platform, the companies stated that airlines can implement the feature while maintaining continuity across their existing payment infrastructure, checkout processes, and customer experience environments.

Integration Through the Ceptor Platform

The partnership enables Hands In’s technology to be integrated within UATP’s Ceptor platform, which supports payment processing infrastructure for airlines and travel companies.

According to the announcement, the integration allows airlines to activate split payment capabilities without requiring internal development to build the functionality independently. The technology operates within existing payment frameworks used by airlines that already utilize the Ceptor platform.

The integration connects Hands In’s split payments API with the Ceptor payments infrastructure, enabling airlines to combine different payment instruments within a single booking transaction. This allows the cost of a purchase to be distributed across multiple cards, payment methods, or payers during checkout.

The companies stated that the integration is designed to operate within airline checkout environments without requiring significant changes to existing systems. By embedding the functionality within Ceptor, the capability becomes available to airlines operating within UATP’s payments network.

According to the companies, the collaboration allows airlines to introduce additional payment flexibility while maintaining control over their customer experience and branded booking environments.

Leadership Statements

Samuel Flynn, Chief Executive Officer of Hands In, described the integration as an approach designed to operate within existing airline systems.

“Airlines do not want another complex integration. They want functionality that works within their existing infrastructure. By embedding directly into UATP’s Ceptor, Hands In is making split payments that combine multiple cards, payers, and methods accessible at a global scale, not only from an enablement perspective but also reconciliation, which is the major challenge for airlines accepting split payments today,” Flynn stated.

Ralph Kaiser, President and Chief Executive Officer of UATP, said the partnership expands payment flexibility for airlines using the network’s infrastructure.

“UATP continues to lead in payments innovation. Integrating Hands In into the Ceptor platform allows us to offer airlines enhanced flexibility to travellers at checkout while preserving the integrity and reliability of our Network,” Kaiser stated.

Payment Flexibility in Airline Retailing

The collaboration between Hands In and UATP introduces additional payment options into airline checkout processes by enabling travelers to split payments across multiple sources.

According to the announcement, travelers will be able to divide the cost of flights and related services between multiple cards or payment methods during checkout. The capability applies to both the purchase of flight tickets and ancillary products associated with travel bookings.

The companies indicated that flexible payment capabilities are becoming increasingly relevant for higher-value purchases within travel and other sectors. Split payments enable multiple contributors or payment sources to participate in a single transaction.

The integration is intended to provide airlines with the ability to offer payment flexibility while maintaining control over their existing checkout experiences and operational systems.

The companies stated that the capability also supports shared bookings where multiple individuals contribute to a single travel purchase.

About Hands In

Hands In is a United Kingdom–based payment solutions company specializing in split payment enablement technology designed for the travel industry. Founded in 2022, the company develops payment capabilities that allow multiple cards, payment methods, and payers to be combined within a single transaction.

Hands In’s technology enables merchants to implement split payments without changing their existing payment infrastructure. The platform allows businesses to process transactions that combine several payment instruments within one checkout process.

According to the company, its technology is designed to enable merchants to recover payment attempts that may otherwise not complete due to card limits or insufficient funds, while supporting transactions that involve multiple contributors.

Hands In provides split payment capabilities primarily for travel industry use cases, including airline bookings and related travel purchases.

More information is available at https://www.handsin.com/.

About UATP

UATP is a global closed-loop payment network that provides payment infrastructure for companies operating in complex industries. The network enables businesses to make and accept a wide range of payment types while supporting payment processing across global markets.

UATP provides payment infrastructure for issuers, merchants, travel agencies, aggregators, and corporate account holders. The network also offers data tools including DataStream® and DataMine®, which provide account and transaction data for issuers and corporate customers.

UATP’s technology platform is designed to connect companies with new forms of payment and provide operational tools for payment processing and financial management. The organization has decades of experience in the payments sector and supports payment operations for companies operating across the global travel ecosystem.

UATP accounts are accepted for corporate business travel payments by airlines, travel agencies, and Amtrak worldwide.

Additional information is available at https://www.uatp.com/.

Media Contact

For additional information, visit uatp.com & handsin.com.

Source Attribution

Source: Company announcement