British Airways will become the first UK airline to roll out two weather apps, to provide pilots and the airline’s flight planning teams access to real-time weather data, allowing them to better plan and mitigate the impact of weather on any intended flight route, in the moment.
Currently, teams rely on manually produced weather reports that are generated earlier that day. With access to the new apps, pilots and flight planning teams will be able to assess the impact of weather changes in real-time to better plan and adapt flight paths, making more operationally efficient decisions.
The first app will give the airline’s pilots streamlined access to weather data from The Weather Company, offering comprehensive insights into weather conditions along flight paths both before departure and while in the air. Additional updates will utilise onboard Wi-Fi connectivity to support real-time in-flight weather updates, further improving its functionality.
The airline’s Integrated Operations Control centre – the operational hub that keeps the airline running smoothly, will also have access to an app that – in the future – will work in conjunction with the new technology available to pilots, giving them precise information on weather changes.
Wi-Fi is available on all of the British Airways Gatwick fleet and more than 80 per cent of British Airways’ Heathrow fleet, rolling out to 100 per cent by the end of 2025.
