Airline tests 'happiness blanket' to offer best flight sleep

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Press Trust of India Dubai
Last Updated : Jul 10 2014 | 9:57 AM IST
To make flying and sleeping on its flights even more relaxing, British Airways is testing a hi-tech blanket that monitors brain waves and change colors based on the passenger's mood.
The 'happiness blanket', which is woven with fibre optics, uses neuro-sensors to measure a person's brainwaves and changes colour, from red to blue, to show when they're at their most relaxed and meditative.
The airline hopes monitoring a person's sleep and relaxation patterns during a flight will help to improve aspects of the in-flight service; from changing the timing of meals, what food is served and even the types of films shown - to make flying and sleeping on British Airways flights even more relaxing.
A group of volunteers on board the BA189 Dreamliner service from Heathrow to New York, were among the first to try out the hi-tech 'happiness blankets' for themselves and report on their experiences.
Frank van der Post, British Airways' managing director, brands and customer experience, said: "This is the first time this technology has been used by any airline to help shape how service is delivered on board an aircraft.
"Using technology like the British Airways 'happiness blanket' is another way for us to investigate how our customers' relaxation and sleep is affected by everything on board, from the amount of light in the cabin, when they eat, to what in-flight entertainment they watch and their position in the seat," he said.
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First Published: Jul 10 2014 | 9:57 AM IST

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