The legacy carrier announced on Wednesday (19 April) the online classes – to be incorporated into Virgin Atlantic’s wider training – will teach staff how to approach visually impaired customers as well as navigate busy spaces and guide them to their seats.

“At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and crucial to this is ensuring all our customers have the best possible experience when flying with us,” chief executive Shai Weiss wrote in a LinkedIn post. 

“Our partnership with Guide Dogs is one part of a journey to make flying more accessible for everyone. We recognise there’s work to do but are looking forward to making a real impact together as our partnership evolves."

The partnership comes as new data from market research company OnePoll has shown that 68% of Britons with a visual impairment are reluctant to travel by plane due to previous negative experiences. 

“By providing advice to cabin crew and having them undertake sighted guide training, we hope blind and partially sighted passengers will have the confidence to travel as fully and independently as possible,” added Guide Dogs customer experience lead John Welsman.