ADP launches a highly connected business space at Orly
Aéroports de Paris (ADP) has inaugurated a Business Lounge at Paris-Orly. Located in hall 2 (room 20) of the west terminal, the lounge is aimed at VIWs - Very Important Workers - with a connected work area, accessible free of charge and equipped with 32 seats. But this very physical space is complemented by a digital area with a virtual platform to facilitate networking. Once registered via their Linkedin profile using ADP's My Airport application, travellers can signal their presence in the lounge to make contact with other mobile professionals, thereby enabling them to meet new customers or partners. The area is equipped with Beacon technology, so Bluetooth beacons recognise registered users present in the area. They then send a message to their smartphones inviting them to make themselves available to meet another passenger. This "experimental contact programme"highlights the efforts made by ADP for the many business travellers passing through Orly.
Apple Watch: just revealed, already adopted
As soon as it hits the market on 24 April, the Apple Watch will prove its usefulness in the world of business travel. Adapted for the connected watch, the Accorhotels app allows customers to be notified of the opening of the e-check-in or access the interactive map to get to the hotel. The IHG hotel group has also launched the Translator App, which offers written and phonetic translations from English into 13 languages. Passengers on easyJet and Emirates will also have key information at their fingertips: boarding pass, real-time flight status, notifications of any changes. Easyjet even offers a "countdown timer", which uses gentle vibrations to warn passengers that it's time to board the plane.
Air France aims for a digital 100% airport route
Air France-KLM is to invest €60 million in digitalising the customer experience. While automatic baggage drop-off zones will be installed at Paris-CDG and Orly to make the journey through these airports smoother, more ergonomic interactive kiosks will soon be installed at the airline's 180 stations around the world. Self-boarding is also being introduced at Roissy, speeding up boarding. All passengers have to do to board the plane is scan the flash code they receive on their smartphones.
Jetblue and Marriott go mobile.
JetBlue is the first airline to accept Apple's mobile payment solution, which enables in-flight purchases of snacks and drinks to be paid for using a smartphone. This summer, in twelve Marriott hotels in the United States, iPhone 6 owners will simply have to hold their device up to a contactless terminal to complete their check-in.
Transavia uses What's App.
Following on from Twitter and Facebook, Transavia is expanding its customer service by adding the What's app messaging application to its catalogue of digital solutions. Customers of the Dutch branch of the low-cost airline launched by Air FranceKLM can put their questions to the airline via What's app. Customer service is available 7 days a week, from 8am to 10pm, with a response time of one hour.
China Eastern: an avatar as cabin crew.
In January, China Eastern tested a revolutionary in-flight service: Xiao Ice, a virtual personal assistant based on Microsoft technology. Passengers no longer need to press a button to call the stewardess: they can send a short message to ask for a coffee or ask a question and receive an immediate response.
