KLM to offer smartphone-based baggage tracking
KLM will soon offer a select group of frequent flyers the new eTrack device, which enables smartphone-based baggage tracking.
During the first three months of 2015, airports and airlines across Europe have been busy finalising inventive projects designed to help travellers make the most of their time at the airport and improve the overall passenger experience. Ryan Ghee rounds up some of most effectual innovations.
Delayed or lost luggage is one of the biggest causes of anxiety and stress during the travel process. Significant baggage handling improvements have been achieved in recent years – in fact, according to the recently released SITA 2015 Baggage Report, 7.3 bags per 1,000 were mishandled in 2014, compared to 18.8 bags per 1,000 in 2007 – but there is still scope for further progress.
With this in mind, KLM has confirmed that it will offer select members of its Flying Blue frequent flyer programme a new baggage tracking device, which can be used to track bags via smartphones during every step of the journey. The rechargeable Eviate eTrack makes use of GSM technology to enable the tracking function and it can also automatically send the owner a message when the suitcase is opened and when it arrives on the baggage carousel. The company behind the device, FastTrack Company, has worked with KLM, KPN and Samsonite on the development of the eTrack and eTag devices – the latter of which is a permanent electronic bag tag, which is not yet available commercially.
Ryanne van der Eijk, KLM’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, explained that the tracking device “takes the stress out of travel with baggage, because it allows passengers to track their baggage easily and quickly.”
Helsinki Airport’s sleeping pods
A total of 19 sleeping pods have been installed at Gates 18 and 38 at Helsinki Airport, providing a quiet space for transit passengers to relax.
Of the 15.9 million passengers who travelled through Helsinki Airport in 2014, almost 2.5 million of them were transferring to another flight, and with this high percentage of transit traffic firmly in mind, Finavia, the Finnish airport operator, has taken a novel approach to help improve their experience in the terminal.
Following a successful trial, a total of 19 sleeping pods have been installed at Gates 18 and 38, providing passengers with a dedicated space to relax or sleep while they wait for their connection.
The GoSleep pod is an ergonomic seat that can be turned into a bed and each one has a cover that can be pulled over the pod to create an isolated environment. Each pod includes a power socket, which passengers can use to charge their electronic devices, as well as space to store hand luggage. Pillows and blankets are also available.
“We wish to provide passengers with an opportunity for stress-free travel and a nap between flights,” explained Heikki Koski, Vice President, Finavia. “Helsinki Airport has many transit passengers, who may not have had any sleep for a day or are suffering from jet lag. I believe that the service will have genuine demand.”
Café Lounge concept coming to Trondheim and Tromsø
SAS’ new Café Lounge concept will initially be introduced in Trondheim and Tromsø airports, ahead of a wider rollout.
Norway’s Trondheim and Tromsø airports will soon each have a new Café Lounge following the announcement by SAS that it will introduce its new passenger lounge concept at both locations.
Located close to the departure gates, the two lounges, which include access to high-speed WiFi, will open before the end of May, before the carrier opens similar facilities at other Norwegian airports later in 2015.
Eivind Roald, Executive Vice President Commercial at SAS, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to launch yet another in-demand product, the SAS Café Lounge. Our most frequent flyers appreciate the time saving services such as Fast Track, which is why we are now offering an additional service designed especially for them. Fast flows are important on our domestic market and customers can work effectively in our Café Lounges located close to the gate.”
BA and easyJet identify Apple Watch potential
easyJet was among the first carriers to announce the launch of an app for the Apple Watch, unveiling its app 46 days ahead of Apple Watch going on sale.
The highly anticipated Apple Watch will be available from 24 April, and two UK-based carriers are leading the charge on exploiting the potential of the new smartwatch.
The British Airways Apple Watch app allows passengers to view their flight number, route, departure time, flight status, destination weather forecast and a countdown to departure timer. Gate change updates can also be sent directly to Apple Watches, while Passbook integration will soon allow customers to store their boarding pass on their smartwatch.
Meanwhile, the easyJet app also offers easy access to pre-departure and check-in information, flight status updates and a countdown function, in addition to the latest currency exchange rates. Users can also post updates to Twitter and Facebook via the app.
James Millett, easyJet’s Head of Digital, said: “easyJet passengers continue to see the benefit of using our app to make travel easier and we are sure that many of them will be early adopters of Apple Watch. We constantly look for new ways to improve the travel experiences of our passengers and providing up to date information on the latest technology such as Apple Watch is key to this.”
AdP promotes airport networking
The new Espace business lounge at Paris Orly is aimed primarily at the 58% of Orly West users who are travelling on business.
A new digital business lounge concept unveiled by Aéroports de Paris (AdP) helps travellers use their time at the airport productively. The Espace business lounge at Paris Orly Airport, located in Hall 2 of Orly West, can be accessed free of charge, and passengers can make use of workstations and free WiFi.
Via AdP’s My Airport app, passengers can now also create a profile and give permission for the app to notify other passengers in the vicinity of their presence. Thanks to the installation of beacons across the terminal, the user will then be notified of anyone else who has registered and is currently in the terminal, and they can request a meeting with them. As 58% of the passengers who use the Orly West terminal are travelling on business, the initiative is designed to help travellers explore new business opportunities.
