British Airways has announced a major update for holidaymakers, introducing a new mobile app designed to make summer travel smoother. The app, rolled out this week, offers live travel updates, quicker access to boarding passes, and enhanced self-service features, including the ability to modify bookings directly from the app.
New features for a faster journey
The enhanced British Airways app is being gradually distributed to passengers, with additional features expected in the coming months. The full list of new features includes a fresh design with intuitive navigation, full integration of essential travel tasks such as booking and check-in, and digital boarding passes that can be saved to Apple and Android wallets even offline. The app is powered by real-time operational data, delivering live journey updates for flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick, along with alerts and push notifications before and during travel.
Other features include a 'day of travel' home screen that shows relevant information at the right time, increased self-service options for managing bookings, passport scanning to minimise physical checks, biometric and secure profile management, and airport-specific features like interactive terminal maps and lounge occupancy information for Heathrow Terminal 5.
Customer feedback-driven improvements
Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: 'We listened to our customers and recognised the need for a different app, one that prioritises the features that matter most. The new platform provides a strong foundation, enabling us to introduce new functionality more quickly, shaped by customer feedback.' He added that the initial phase is just the beginning, with plans for greater personalisation, expanded self-service, and innovations in the coming weeks and months.
Benefits for Club members
British Airways Club members can also monitor their Avios, Tier Points balance, and status progress within the app. They can review statements, update personal information, store passport details for future trips, and access redeemable vouchers. The app is available for free on iOS and Android.
Additional travel guidance
Separately, British Airways has advised travellers to carry a copy of their prescription for medication to 'avoid delays' at security. A BA spokesperson said: 'If you need to take regular medication, it's important to pack enough essential medication for your personal use on board - and for the first few days of your journey - into your smaller under-seat item of hand baggage. This is in case your hold baggage is delayed for any reason.'
