British Airways Work Experience Insight Day

Wednesday, 29th January will be a day to remember as we began an exciting Aviation Insight Day at British Airways. The day started with a minibus journey to Heathrow, Waterside. When we arrived, we were greeted by Junior who was our host and Fredrick, who is Deaf and works for customer services at British Airways.  We were asked  to wear ID passes as a form of identification and a security measure.

We entered a room filled with tables, chairs, and a massive screen, we were introduced to the day's schedule and icebreakers to help us relax. We were then challenged to deliver an elevator pitch, a 60-second pitch where we could showcase our ambition, passions, and ideal jobs. Initially, it felt like a fearful task but eventually, after encouragement, it turned into a confidence-boosting experience.

After the icebreaker session, we were presented with opportunities on apprenticeships and informed about the various roles available to deaf individuals.

Next, we began on a guided tour of the area, which offered a unique insight into the world of British Airways from the past to the present. There was the room dedicated to the airline's history.  The excitement in the room was visible as we snapped photographs.

Lunchbreak arrived, and after that we were assigned to groups. We were given scenarios mimicking real-life customer service situations. one person played the role of a customer service representative while others played the part of passengers whose flights had been cancelled. This exercise in real-world situations gave us opportunities for teamwork and problem-solving.

Later, in the afternoon, we turned our attention to brainstorming ideas to make air travel accessible for deaf people, we presented our ideas in poster format to a panel of judges, who judged our creativity and ideas. Our suggestions included automated subtitles, wristbands, and other solutions that would greatly improve the travel experience for deaf individuals.

Before ending our day with British Airways, we captured memories by taking photos and videos, with our new friends and hosts. It was a day filled with excitement, learning, and inspiration, and left with a deeper understanding of the airline industry.

Deyaan Bhudia Year 8LCA