Mar 28, 2024 | Updated: 11:35 AM EDT

How Virgin Uses Google Glass for Fast Check-In

Mar 11, 2014 11:45 AM EDT

How Does Virgin Use Google Glass for Fast Check-In? Virgin Atlantic is now embracing Google Glass for its passengers at check-in. The airline company aims to adopt Google Glass for it to deploy faster check-ins at the airport. Employees of the airline will "start the check-in process" for its passengers. They will also be assigned to update passengers about the weather and foreign language translation using Google Glass.

Virgin Atlantic, a trading name of Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited, is a British airline majority-owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group. The Virgin Group owns 51% of the airline, and Delta Air Lines owns the remaining 49%. In 2011, BMI was bought by British Airways' parent company International Airlines Group; under the terms of the takeover, IAG had to relinquish the former BMI domestic slots.

In 2012, Virgin Atlantic successfully bid for enough slots to start a domestic service in 2013, all operating out of BMI's old domestic base at Gate 8 of Heathrow's Terminal 1. The domestic UK flights began from 31 March 2013 under the "Little Red" brand, operating a total of 26 daily services from London to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Manchester, providing a link for international passengers flying to London. Virgin wet-leased four Airbus A320s for the flights, operated by Aer Lingus under an initial three-year partnership.

Virgin Atlantic Little Red flights are timed to provide the most convenient connections to long-haul operations at London Heathrow. The service operates in an all-economy configuration; and complimentary snacks and drinks are provided, including a hot breakfast on flights departing before 09:00. Last month, the company announced it will launch a trial for six weeks at Heathrow Airport terminal for its employees to wear Google Glass or Sony's SmartWatch 2. The objective to is gain faster passenger access through the device's data. Employees will begin check-in and apply its features for passengers. The trial will only be available to Virgin's Upper Class Wing flyers. Upper Class is a standard which is above First Class passengers. These passengers are granted access to a spa, bar, limo access and all of Virgin's top programs. 

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