Virgin Atlantic is the first UK airline to offer British Sign Language (BSL) trained cabin crew as part of the airline’s commitment to ensuring every customer has a positive and inclusive travel experience.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic has a newly-created Accessibility Advisory Board, which has been developed to help enhance the airline’s accessibility offering. The Board will include leaders from across the industry each with their own personal experiences of accessible travel, who will review processes and products and help shape the development of new offerings.
In addition to ongoing BSL training, Virgin Atlantic has also committed to increase the subtitled options available on its inflight entertainment from the current 80% of movies and 40% of TV. It is also introducing of Sign Live – an on-demand BSL interpreter for customer service teams ensuring support at all points along the journey.
“My goddaughter was born deaf, so I started learning BSL so I could communicate with her,” said Emma Flanagan, Virgin Atlantic BSL trained cabin crew. “I also have Tinnitus, so understand what the experience of flying can be like for someone with hearing loss. Making all passengers feel included and empowered at every stage of the flight is a key part of our role as cabin crew. Being able to go that one step further and do this in BSL for passengers is hugely rewarding, from ensuring everyone feels welcome, to assisting with announcements, to helping them to experience the full warmth and joy of a Virgin Atlantic journey.”
Hear more from Virgin Atlantic at FTE Global – the “CES of Aviation” taking place in Los Angeles on 28-30 October 2024. Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, is participating in a Keynote Fireside Chat.
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