British Airways introduces push notifications to iPhone app

New features are being introduced to British Airways’ iPhone app.

New features are being introduced to British Airways’ iPhone app.

Push notifications will be delivered on smartphones to passengers using Heathrow Terminal 5 and Terminal 3 from next month.

This will tell them when their gate is open and when the aircraft is boarding.

BA claims the app is one of the first to take advantage of a new feature in iOS 8, the latest version of Apple’s iPhone software.

Users can now find their flight status in the iPhone notification centre, so they can stay up to date without opening the app – as featured at Apple’s live event recently.

Following passenger feedback, iPhone users with the BA app will receive a personalised welcome pop-up message and Wi-Fi password when entering the Terminal 5 lounge.

BA says it is the first UK airline to use iBeacon technology in its lounges, starting in Terminal 5 in October, to show notifications based on location.

Chief commercial officer Drew Crawley said: “We have a unique opportunity to address customer needs and offer intuitive ways of making their journey even smoother.

“It’s these thoughtful features – from alerting customers to gate announcements, to Wi-Fi passwords – that truly add value.

“The potential to optimise mobile and digital technology is endless, but requires a careful balance of adding value without bombarding customers.”

The BA iPhone app has been downloaded more than four million times since launch.