Why Emirates Is Giving 20,000 Apple Devices To Its Flight Attendants

Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is partway through a program to provide all its employees with Apple devices running a selection of custom applications to improve crew and passenger experiences. The programs include a crew roster and tools to help provide customers with a better travel experience.

Who is getting the new gear?

Emirates confirmed today that all 20,000 Emirates Cabin Crew will receive an iPhone 13 or iPad Air configured with the custom Emirates apps as part of the carrier’s ‘One Device’ strategy. The airline began giving out Apple devices a year ago and has already invested more than AED 32 million ($8.7 million) into the initiative. According to the airline, over 7,000 Emirates crew members use iPhones across 450 flights in the global network daily. Another 5,000 crewmembers are scheduled to receive a device in the coming months.

This follows research by Emirates in-house Service Delivery, and IT teams that showed the Apple products are empowering cabin crew to feel better prepared at work and allowing them to offer a more personalized service to passengers.

Photo: Emirates 

The apps were developed to improve customer and crew experiences and streamline onboard passenger service.

What do the devices do?

The phones and iPads have been loaded with Emirates’ custom applications to serve various functions. One of the custom-built applications includes features that improve the inflight meal order-taking process in business class to ensure swift and precise service. The app also allows the crew to access the passenger’s Skywards profile, which may provide additional dietary information or preferences.

A second app provides the crew with the most current staffing information. It is designed to give the crewmembers “up-to-the-minute” roster and flight information and allow them to view seat changes, upgrades, and an overview of which cabin crew are onboard.

Photo: Emirates

The programs work to give cabin staff a better view of their passengers and equip them with the tools they need to perform at their best. Customers also benefit from more personalized service as staff can access information such as dining and drink preferences and onboard loungewear sizes (if used on prior flights) in real time.

The devices also aim to promote adherence to safety standards by ensuring crew can access 24/7 support globally. The cabin crew can check official operating procedures anytime with remotely updated operational manuals and use the devices as a platform for continuous education through “micro-learning.”

Photo: Emirates

The carrier confirmed that Emirates Cabin Crewmembers are permitted to use the iPhone for personal use, and their private data is protected.

Why choose Apple?

The use of a universal operating system is a crucial aspect of the One Device initiative. The airline confirmed that Apple products were chosen as they best support the demanding working environment of Emirates cabin crew. Several of the deciding factors included fast charging, an extended battery life, lightweight design, and premium build quality.

Privacy was also at the forefront of the decision, with officials citing Apple’s “industry-leading security” as key to protecting customer and cabin crew information and the guest and employee’s privacy. The security features include built-in user identity authentication with secure Face ID and removal of flight information once the journey is completed.