High Time for This Idea

Busy international travelers generally want to get out of airports as fast as possible, and there have been plenty of innovations to get things done while the airplane flies. Travelers now routinely make calls, get duty-free liquor and do their customs paperwork at 30,000 feet.

Soon, they’ll be able to exchange money.

Mordechai Hod, who led Israel’s air force during the 1967 Six-Day War, said his company’s Aero-Cash is the first in-flight currency exchange machine. Hod, a partner in Inflight Financial Services Ltd., said the machine exchanges 25 currencies and accepts credit cards.

“The machine was very well-received on board,” said Annette Gutsmiedl of United Airlines, one carrier that has tested Aero-Cash. “We are just trying to find adequate space for it on our aircraft.”

Three other airlines are negotiating to carry the machine, Hod said. The machines will also be in airports and hotel lobbies, starting with two chains in Israel.