British Airways launches a new service for customers with additional needs; The Diana Awards hail a new generation of young leaders; a multi-million pound investment in mobile technology enhances the on-board experience; plus VR headsets come to First

Dedicated care for additional assistance customers

British Airways has introduced a dedicated customer care team to look after the 600,000 customers with additional needs who travel on its aircraft every year. The team, who have undergone extensive training to help with bookings, bespoke assistance, in-flight seating and more, can be contacted on 0800 408 1100 or via email at ba.assistance@email.ba.com. Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, says that “...every member of the team is incredibly passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping our customers get ready for a stress-free journey”. To find out what assistance is available, click here

The Diana Awards

This autumn, British Airways will be flying The Diana Award winners from around the world to London for the bi-annual Diana Legacy Award ceremony. A prestigious awards body set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award recognises the next generation of young leaders creating positive social change in their communities across the world. British Airways CEO, Alex Cruz, will join the judging panel to select the final 20 awardees, all of whom will fly to London to receive their Legacy Award. To learn more, click here 

The future of flight: waste to fuel

British Airways is one step closer to powering its future fleet with sustainable jet fuel thanks to a proposed plant (pictured top of page) designed to convert half-a-million tonnes of non-recyclable waste per year into cleaner aviation fuel. This new move will reduce greenhouse gases by 70 per cent compared to the fossil fuel equivalent – equivalent to taking up to 40,000 cars off the road each year. To find out more about the fuel development and BA’s co-investors on the project, click here

Cabin crew issued iPhone XRs

Every member of British Airways’ 15,000 cabin crew is set to receive an iPhone XR (pictured below) that will encourage further personalisation of the on-board service. The technology comes as part of the airline’s £6.5bn investment in the customer experience, following a successful trial of iPads for senior cabin crew on board every flight. The new phones mean crew will have access to a range of customer information, as well as the ability to alter meal preferences and more.

Virtual reality entertainment

Want to be transported into a world of 3D cinema at 35,000ft? Then it’s good news, as British Airways is trialling SkyLights VR headsets in a UK first for the airline. The headsets, on trial until the end of the year in First on selected flights from Heathrow to New York JFK, will allow customers to immerse themselves in a 2D, 3D or 360-degree view of award-winning films, documentaries and and travel programmes, no matter which position they are sitting in. Sajida Ismail, Head of Inflight Product, said, “Virtual reality has the power to revolutionise in-flight entertainment and we’re really excited to trial these new glasses as they should create a unique and memorable journey for our First customers.” To discover more about the BA experience, click here

For the very latest British Airways news, click here

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This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips