Virgin Atlantic passengers will be the first air travellers to experience the benefits of pioneering Google Glass and Sony Smartwatch technology in an innovative pilot scheme which starts today.  

Concierge staff in the airline’s Upper Class Wing will use wearable technology to deliver the industry’s most high-tech and personalised customer service yet at London Heathrow airport, a statement said.

Virgin Atlantic, in collaboration with air transport IT specialist Sita, will test how the latest wearable technology can best be used to enhance customers’ travel experiences and improve efficiency.

From the minute Upper Class passengers step out of their chauffeured limousine at Heathrow’s T3 and are greeted by name, Virgin Atlantic staff wearing the technology will start the check-in process. At the same time, staff will be able to update passengers on their latest flight information, weather and local events at their destination and translate any foreign language information. In future, the technology could also tell Virgin Atlantic staff their passengers’ dietary and refreshment preferences – anything that provides a better and more personalised service.  

During the six-week pilot, the benefits to consumers and the business will be evaluated ahead of a potential wider roll-out in the future, the statement said.

Airline staff are equipped with either Google Glass or a Sony SmartWatch 2, which is integrated to both a purpose-built dispatch app built by Sita and the Virgin Atlantic passenger service system. The dispatch app manages all task allocation and concierge availability. It pushes individual passenger information directly to the assigned concierge’s smart glasses or watch just as the passenger arrives at the Upper Class Wing. - TradeArabia News Service