Apple's iBeacon now in Place at London's Heathrow Airport
It's being reported today in England that Virgin Atlantic passengers in London Heathrow Airport will become some of the first people to experience a new technology designed to give personal notifications to their phones. The airline is using Apple's iBeacon technology, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy and geofencing, to provide a connected service through their airport experience.
Using iBeacon devices created by Estimote, a technology start-up building a sensor-based analytics and engagement platform, smartphones with Apple Passbook downloaded in range of a device, can receive communications from the beacon related to their location in the airport.
For example, an Upper Class passenger approaching the private security channel can receive a notification for their phone to open their electronic boarding pass ready to be scanned by security.
Reuben Arnold, brand and customer engagement director, Virgin Atlantic, said: "At this stage, we've only skimmed the surface on the advantages that this technology can offer our customers.
Arnold added that "In the future, we expect it to further personalize our passenger's journey, such as notifying an Upper Class passenger that there is an open appointment in the Clubhouse spa or introducing the crew members on their flight as they board the aircraft. Our passengers are increasingly more connected as they travel and by using advanced technology we can improve customer experience and continue to put innovation at the heart of the flying experience."
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