Emirates is providing its entire cabin crew workforce with new Apple iPhones and iPad Air devices. These devices come equipped with a number of specially developed apps that allow crew to take Business Class meal orders and access safety manuals whenever necessary.
Since the airline launched a customized meal ordering app in 2017, Emirates cabin crew members have had access to digital devices, though the original app ran on a specially set up Samsung device.
The airline has already given the updated Apple devices to 7,000 crew members, and another 5,000 cabin crew members will get either an iPhone 13 or an iPad Air soon.
The device’s Business Class meal ordering app serves as one of its primary functions. Still, it also has a variety of other apps and features, such as a digital passenger information list, roster, and flight information, as well as full access to the airline’s safety manuals.
One of the best features of the meal ordering app is that it saves customer preferences so that, without having to ask, the cabin crew is aware of a customer’s preferred beverage, dietary needs, and even the size of their loungewear.
Emirates said it made the switch to Apple because they “support the demanding operating environment of Emirates cabin crew” such as fast charging, a long battery life, and premium security features.
The meal ordering app requires cabin crew to connect their devices to a dedicated WiFi router onboard, after which the devices sync with one another to share information about the orders made by various passengers.
An attached device in the galley receives an order’s information as soon as a crew member takes it, enabling the order to be quickly prepared and delivered to the customer.
Naturally, digital meal ordering systems are becoming more prevalent in restaurants worldwide. However, some customers complain that because the cabin crew is constantly looking at their devices, interactions with them can become less personal.
