• The apps will provide real-time data from The Weather Company to pilots and flight planning teams to help better predict bad weather
• This new technology will replace manually produced weather reports, and forms part of the airline’s £7bn transformation programme, as it continues to focus on increasing the use of new technology across its operation
• The technology has been developed and configured to meet the exact needs of British Airways’ extensive route network, providing benefits across its short and long-haul operations, and will be introduced ahead of the busy summer season

Thursday, 11 April 2024: British Airways will become the first UK airline to roll out two next-generation 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.

René de Groot, Chief Operating Officer at British Airways, said: “It’s exciting that we’ll be the first UK airline to combine the technology of both apps, which will allow us to make even better operational decisions in the moment using real-time data. These applications represent a step-change in the quality of weather information we receive, and, in the future, will enable pilots to collaborate in real-time during a flight with operational colleagues on the ground, allowing faster decision-making for a variety of issues like diversion planning and recovery.”

The technology has been developed and configured to meet the exact needs of British Airways’ extensive route network, providing benefits across its short and long-haul operations, and is being introduced ahead of the busy summer season.

This substantial investment is part of British Airways’ £7bn transformation programme, as it continues to focus on increasing the use of new technology across its operation. Earlier this year, the airline introduced a new Electronic Aircraft Maintenance (eLog) system for engineering teams, replacing a paper-based system, which allows the immediate transfer of data from the aircraft to engineers within seconds, meaning any required parts can be pre-ordered to help to resolve issues more quickly. 

Notes to editors

* Wi-Fi is available on all of the airline’s Gatwick fleet and more than 80 per cent of British Airways’ Heathrow fleet, rolling out to 100 per cent by the end of 2025.

• The app that will be used by pilots is called Guidor, provided by SkyConseil
• The app that will be used by flight planning teams is called WSI Fusion

About British Airways

As a global airline and the UK’s flag carrier, British Airways has been flying its customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, operating one of the most extensive international scheduled airline route networks together with its joint business, codeshare and franchise partners.

In September 2021, British Airways launched its sustainability programme, BA Better World, committing to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does and with a clear roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. British Airways is a founding member of the airline alliance oneworld, which serves around 1,000 destinations across the globe.

British Airways flies to destinations in more than 75 countries. Its principal place of business is London, with its main home at Heathrow Terminal 5.