BA PEOPLE • February 2016
James Godfrey, British Airways’ Manager of ba.com and mobile development, answers your questions about the airline’s app
Is there an easy way to use the BA app to find flights using Avios?
While this was previously a somewhat hidden feature within the app, you’ll now find the Reward Flights option in the Book a Flight section. We’ve also added a great tool called Reward Flight Finder. It helps you find reward flight availability by searching across dates or destinations – and presents instant results updated in real time. The tool covers direct BA flights, but not connecting or partner airline flights. For more information, click here
What else is new on the app?
We’ve redesigned the app so you can now buy a flight in as little as 60 seconds. The new-look experience is being trialled on flights to and from London City and Gatwick, and will be available across the entire network soon. We’re also working on other improvements, including making the app look even better on large-screen phones such as the iPhone 6 Plus.
You trialled an iPad app earlier this year. When will it be launched?
Feedback from the beta trial was very positive, so we’re incorporating some of that feedback and making behind-the-scenes improvements. We plan to launch the iPad app in the coming months.
Why isn’t the app available for Android Wear watches? It’s been on Apple Watch since it launched.
We’ve been very pleased with usage of the app on Apple Watch, and we’re installing new scanners at Heathrow to make it easier for customers to scan their watch. We keep an open mind about which platforms to support, but for now we don’t plan to offer Android Wear support in the immediate future.
How do you decide which new features to add to the app?
We gather feedback in a number of ways, including via social media, user testing, surveys and talking directly to customers. We then prioritise developments based on how much benefit we expect them to deliver. Some changes can be made very quickly, while others take several months to define, build and test. Our aim is to make the app an essential travel companion, and we hope you enjoy using it.
Do you have a question for James? Email us with the subject line ‘Guru James’.
This article has been tagged BA, Technology