British Airways is partnering with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to become the first UK airline to formally recognise the Sunflower badging.
The move comes as satisfaction among customers with accessibility needs has more than doubled after the airline’s investment in a number of initiatives, including a specialist customer care team for travellers who require additional assistance.
Customers can choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard as an indication that they may require additional support, assistance or just a little more time while travelling. The initiative forms part of the airline’s efforts to make travel simple and easy for customers with additional assistance needs.
The airline’s new partnership with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower will see the organisation’s videos embedded into British Airways’ training modules. British Airways colleagues will also have access to specialised videos via the airline’s staff intranet. Passenger travelling with the airline will be able to better receive the support, assistance and understanding they require throughout their journey.
Commenting on the new partnership, Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: ‘Almost half a million customers who require additional assistance fly with British Airways each year.
We’re proud to be the first UK airline to partner with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and are committed to doing everything we can to support customers who may need additional assistance as part of our BA Better World programme, so they can have the best possible experience when travelling with us.’
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower said: ‘I am delighted that British Airways is the first UK airline to launch the Sunflower. As well as being supported at over 130 airports globally, people with non-visible disabilities wearing the Sunflower will now be supported on British Airways flights. This a significant step in our goal for Sunflower wearers to be confident to travel independently knowing that they will be supported when they need to be.’
The British Airways Accessibility Team can be contacted via UK freephone number 0800 408 1100 from Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 17:00. Outside of this time, customers can leave a message and the team will respond, British Airways said.
