BA in the media 2018
Jan 15, 2018, 11:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,431
BA in the media 2018
I hope you don't mind starting a new 2018 thread for this... if it hasn't been done so already?! I did a search, promise 
Anyway, for any tech enthusiast like me or just a general interest in BA's behind the scenes, I came across this as part of an article in today's Times in the business section.
In summary it's part of a story around the use of blockchain technology and a company that is helping BA use blockchain as a way of verifying passengers. I thought it was interesting. The BA part starts from the 1st main column at “VChain Technology, a Hounslow...” Sorry it's photo and not an online link.
Anyway, for any tech enthusiast like me or just a general interest in BA's behind the scenes, I came across this as part of an article in today's Times in the business section.
In summary it's part of a story around the use of blockchain technology and a company that is helping BA use blockchain as a way of verifying passengers. I thought it was interesting. The BA part starts from the 1st main column at “VChain Technology, a Hounslow...” Sorry it's photo and not an online link.
Jan 15, 2018, 12:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
Not sure what the advantages of using blockchain for passenger data are. Unless they are going to rely on biometrics and automated process (i.e. where the ordinary check-in agent won't be able to overrule the system), I don't see how a blockchain will prevent individuals impersonating passengers during check-in.
And I'm not sure how this will work with data protection laws. Having more datasets sounds nice and all but if the law prohibits you from keeping these records, what then?
And I'm not sure how this will work with data protection laws. Having more datasets sounds nice and all but if the law prohibits you from keeping these records, what then?
Jan 15, 2018, 12:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Block chain is useful for preventing fraud, I wonder if it could be used to protect Avios?
Jan 15, 2018, 1:29 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 740
Given that BA could already do a hell of a lot more to protect customers' data, like using two-factor authentication, sending you an email or text when someone logs into your account from an unusual place and so on, I can't see this happening unless there's a short-term financial gain from it.
99% of blockchain talk is hype. Yes, it has valid uses but the primary one right now seems to be for marketing. Something else will be along shortly. This won't stop blockchain being a "thing"; it just won't be the latest thing.
99% of blockchain talk is hype. Yes, it has valid uses but the primary one right now seems to be for marketing. Something else will be along shortly. This won't stop blockchain being a "thing"; it just won't be the latest thing.
Jan 15, 2018, 1:47 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,431
Thats what I said 3 years ago when I was told about bitcoin and it’s value was less than $400! What a fool I was!! I’d be a millionaire now!! :/
BA are already using blockchain through VChain according the article. They could do a lot more, you’re right, but I know that decent technology and support costs money...we all know BAs position on costs.
BA are already using blockchain through VChain according the article. They could do a lot more, you’re right, but I know that decent technology and support costs money...we all know BAs position on costs.
Jan 16, 2018, 3:37 am
#6
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,429
Guy wears all his clothes to avoid paying to check a bag in, gets refused boarding.
My thoughts, what a bellend.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-a3741081.html
My thoughts, what a bellend.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-a3741081.html
Jan 16, 2018, 3:44 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Guy wears all his clothes to avoid paying to check a bag in, gets refused boarding.
My thoughts, what a bellend.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-a3741081.html
My thoughts, what a bellend.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-a3741081.html
Jan 16, 2018, 3:55 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Jan 16, 2018, 4:13 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 897
Thats what I said 3 years ago when I was told about bitcoin and it’s value was less than $400! What a fool I was!! I’d be a millionaire now!! :/
BA are already using blockchain through VChain according the article. They could do a lot more, you’re right, but I know that decent technology and support costs money...we all know BAs position on costs.
The advantage of a smart contract is it enforces and verifies the authenticity of a transaction without a centralised middle man, there is no single point of failure. It is vastly more efficient and cost effective than traditional enterprise IT systems.
Blockchain in the form of smart contracts are here to stay, there are new start ups utilising this technology in virtually all sectors. It's not going away any time soon, nor should it.
Jan 16, 2018, 4:35 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,431
Jan 16, 2018, 4:53 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 124
I'm sure at some point down the line they'll be very useful in every day life, but that's a long way off and needs some huge breakthroughs first in being able to prove that the contract code is correct before releasing it.
Jan 16, 2018, 7:13 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 897
Not quite - the single point of failure is now the smart contract itself. In the short time it's been around, just one of the smart-contract-based systems has suffered from multiple bugs that drained off huge sums of coins in an apparently irrevocable manner. The best part of it all is that the distributed and immutable nature that you're holding up as its biggest strength makes it effectively impossible to fix these bugs once they're found after release.
I'm sure at some point down the line they'll be very useful in every day life, but that's a long way off and needs some huge breakthroughs first in being able to prove that the contract code is correct before releasing it.
I'm sure at some point down the line they'll be very useful in every day life, but that's a long way off and needs some huge breakthroughs first in being able to prove that the contract code is correct before releasing it.
Jan 19, 2018, 6:43 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,431
BA’s TATL record broken
Norwegian has, according to the Times, taken BA’s fastest recorded transatlantic flight time from JFK to LHR. 5hrs 13min.
Jan 20, 2018, 1:52 am
#14
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Exec Club (Silver)
Posts: 453
News breaking this morning of a BA first officer being taken off BA2063 by police after colleague suspected they could smell alcohol:
BREAKING British Airways pilot of #BA2063 hauled off plane by armed police before takeoff ?after colleagues smelt alcohol on him? | AIRLIVE.net
'Drunk' British Airways pilot hauled from Gatwick flight | Daily Mail Online
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/538341...moved-gatwick/
BREAKING British Airways pilot of #BA2063 hauled off plane by armed police before takeoff ?after colleagues smelt alcohol on him? | AIRLIVE.net
'Drunk' British Airways pilot hauled from Gatwick flight | Daily Mail Online
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/538341...moved-gatwick/
Jan 20, 2018, 1:54 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Drunk British Airways Pilot Hauled off Plane in LGW
Anyone know more about this ?
‘'Drunk' British Airways pilot is hauled off Gatwick flight by armed police seconds from take-off after 'cabin crew who smelled booze' and feared for passengers called 999’
‘British Airways pilot hauled from plane seconds before take-off by armed police’
‘Cabin crew feared for passengers safety and called 999 after smelling 'alcohol'
‘Pilot was due to fly 300 passengers from Gatwick, London to island of Mauritius’
'Drunk' British Airways pilot hauled from Gatwick flight | Daily Mail Online
‘British Airways pilot hauled from plane seconds before take-off by armed police’
‘Cabin crew feared for passengers safety and called 999 after smelling 'alcohol'
‘Pilot was due to fly 300 passengers from Gatwick, London to island of Mauritius’
'Drunk' British Airways pilot hauled from Gatwick flight | Daily Mail Online