Virgin Atlantic has launched Apple’s iBeacon technology at Heathrow, allowing users to receive personal notifications related to their location within the airport.
The technology uses Bluetooth and geofencing (technology that allows messages to be sent when a device enters or exits a certain geographical area) to notify passengers carrying Apple devices.
Notifications currently available include an alert to open electronic boarding passes when Upper Class passengers approach their security lane, and partner offers such as zero commission on currency exchange when passing MoneyCorp booths.
Virgin admits that it has “only skimmed the surface on the advantages that this technology can offer our customers”, and says that in time it expects to add services such as notifying Upper Class passengers when Clubhouse spa appointments become available, or introducing crew members upon boarding flights.
Mark Caswell
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