Nice to see you, to see you nice: Virgin staff to use Google Glass

Virgin Atlantic is equipping staff with Google Glass in an effort to deliver a more personalised service to first class passengers.

Google Glass is being introduced by the airline after a Virgin-backed survey found more than half of travellers believe flying is less glamorous now than it used to be.

"While it's fantastic that more people can now fly than ever before, the fact that air travel has become so accessible has led to some of the sheen being lost for many passengers," Virgin Atlantic director of IT Dave Bulman said.

“Our wearable technology pilot with SITA makes us the first in the industry to test how Google Glass and other wearable technology can improve the customer experience,” he added.

First class passengers arriving at London's Heathrow Airport to fly with the airline will be met by staff wearing Google Glass and Sony Smartwatches as part of the project, which is being done in collaboration with air transport IT specialist SITA.

From the minute first class passengers step out of their chauffeured limousine at Heathrow’s terminal three 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.

The trial will be a six-week pilot scheme and if successful the airline will consider a wider roll-out.