TRAVEL SMART VIRGIN ATLANTIC IS THE FIRST UKBASED AIRLINE TO INTRODUCE A DIGITAL HEALTH PASS SOLUTION Before the age of Covid-19, airlines already had digital transformation firmly on their radar, from online check in and automated bag drops to the latest biometric face recognition and Virtual Reality experiences. Investing in new technologies and online and app-based innovations were central to improving customer experience and performance, and staying competitive. As the world begins to reopen, the ability to easily provide evidence of our Covid-19 credentials - be that a negative test or vaccination – will be hugely important for the safe restart of international travel. As volumes of passengers gradually return to prepandemic levels, it's clear the key to more seamless travel lies in digital, contactless solutions that reduce the need to carry and verify paper travel documents. g In April, Virgin Atlantic was the first UK-based airline to trial one of the apps at the forefront of these solutions, the IATA Travel Pass, which offers a ‘onestop shop’ for customers to collect, store and verify documents on a secure smartphone app. Customers flying from Heathrow to Barbados were invited to download the app and create a secure digital ID linked to their passport details. After testing negative, they could store their PCR results locally on their phone (rather than any central database) and use it at the airport instead of paper checks, avoiding long queues at both ends of their journey. gg “Our innovative trial with the IATA Travel Pass and the Government of Barbados supports a smooth and streamlined experience, helping our customers to fly safe and well and navigate new travel requirements from the palm of their hands.”
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