Airship Launches RCS Messaging to Power the Next Generation of Trusted Cross-Channel Customer Experiences

Airship, a mobile-first customer experience company, has announced the launch of RCS (Rich Communication Services) support, adding one of the most in-demand and modern messaging channels to its platform. With this launch, Airship empowers brands to deliver rich, interactive, and secure two-way conversations that enhance customer trust, reduce SMS-related fraud, and drive measurable business outcomes.

As mobile messaging continues to evolve, brands face mounting challenges with SMS fatigue and declining user trust. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost $470 million to text-based scams in 2024, while Proofpoint research reported a 2,534% surge in smishing-related URL threats. The need for a more secure, authenticated, and engaging communication channel has never been greater.

RCS directly addresses these challenges by upgrading standard text messaging within consumers’ native messaging apps. It offers verified sender profiles-complete with a brand’s name, logo, and verification badge-instantly boosting trust and recognition. The channel also supports rich media elements such as carousels, high-resolution images, and interactive features like “Buy Now” buttons and quick replies that guide customers seamlessly through their journeys. With Apple’s recent adoption of RCS in iOS 18, the channel has become mainstream and accessible to a massive global audience.

Unlike solutions that rely on third-party integrations or complex setups, Airship’s RCS capability is natively embedded within its platform. This approach removes vendor management and IT overhead, enabling marketers to send RCS messages through familiar SMS workflows. The system automatically detects whether a user’s device supports RCS and defaults to SMS or MMS if not, ensuring consistent message delivery. Marketers can orchestrate holistic journeys that blend RCS with push notifications, email, mobile wallets, and personalized in-app content. Enhanced metrics like read receipts and engagement actions also provide deeper insights to refine campaign strategies and improve customer engagement.

Also Read: Sprinklr Unveils AI-Powered Innovations to Redefine Customer Experience

“Trust is the currency of today’s digital economy and it’s most often won or lost starting where customers are — on their mobile devices,” said Brett Caine, CEO, Airship. “The addition of RCS to our platform provides our clients with a powerful new way to create the trusted, seamless experiences customers expect and accelerate conversions, growth and lasting loyalty.”

High-Impact RCS Use Cases Across Industries

• Retail & Commerce: Showcase product launches with interactive carousels and “Buy Now” links or share order updates with embedded QR codes for easy pickup.
• Travel & Hospitality: Send real-time flight updates, “Add to Calendar” and “Get Directions” actions, or allow travelers to “Change Seat” instantly.
• Financial Services: Deliver verified alerts and fraud notifications with secure “Report Issue” or “Pay Now” buttons to simplify user actions.
• Loyalty Programs: Share rewards balances, tier updates, and digital welcome kits for new members.

The launch of RCS messaging marks a significant milestone in Airship’s mission to redefine mobile engagement. With global RCS traffic increasing fivefold since Apple’s rollout of iOS 18 and over one billion monthly active users, RCS is fast becoming the new standard in secure, interactive messaging. Studies show that 75% of consumers prefer RCS over SMS when interacting with brands—signaling a clear shift toward more engaging, trusted, and dynamic customer experiences.