Should airlines follow British Airways?

British Airways has, for a long time, been a reliable airline that most people wouldn’t mind flying with. However, their latest revamp to in-air services gives them an extra advantage and extra benefits for fliers. So today we’re asking the question, should the other airlines follow?

The airline has unveiled a new passenger experience approach to flying that revolves around wellness. Wellness is incredibly important to everyone, it keeps us healthy and balanced in mind and body, and British Airways has found a way to ensure that their flights offer everything one needs to focus on wellness in the air.

The Mindfulness for Travel series was developed for launch of the airline’s new Airbus A380 service between London and San Francisco, known for its laid-back California vibes. It provides passengers with meditation videos, gentle exercise videos, healthy flying tips and additional mindfulness services like a playlist of relaxing music on the music channels and advice for wellness while in flight.

On the health and wellbeing section of the website they say:

Before you fly

• Check in early online so you can relax and enjoy your time at the airport.
• Remember you’ll be sitting for a long time so take a stroll through the terminal before you board your flight.
• Keep your skin feeling fresh by applying moisturiser regularly. Understand what products you can take on board by reading our hand baggage page.
• Try to avoid heavy meals.
• Moderate your intake of alcohol, tea and coffee from the day before you travel.
• Wear comfortable clothing.

In the air

• Choose a light meal and drink plenty of water.
• Moderate your intake of alcohol, tea and coffee.
• After take-off watch our wellbeing video or listen to the soothing music played on our wellbeing audio channel.
• Use your eye mask, ear plugs and flight socks provided on longhaul flights. Skincare products are also provided in our premium cabins.
• Remove contact lenses before going to sleep.
• Keep applying your moisturiser and avoid dry lips with lip balm.
• Relax your muscles with gentle stretches or walk up and down the aisle.

Strategic napping

Having a nap at any time of the day can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you are travelling to a different time zone, work out when you would normally be sleeping and plan to have a nap for 45 mins. This will revitalise you and help you get through to when you need to go to bed and sleep properly.

They also have a range of videos that can be viewed simply by clicking here.

So tell us, is this mindfulness program what all airlines should do? Should they focus less on entertainment and more on providing wellbeing services before, during and after flights? Share your thoughts in the comments below…