Virgin Atlantic’s Revolutionary Onboard Medical Equipment Upgrade, Enhancing Passenger Safety

Virgin Atlantic is working with the German IT company CardioSecur to update its onboard medical equipment in an effort to reduce delays and save lives.

The smallest and lightest mobile electrocardiography (ECG) kit in existence will now be installed in every aircraft, according to the airline.

Cornel Koster, executive in charge of operations and customer service, stated: “The upgrade to this new state-of-the-art mobile ECG capability on board all our aircraft clearly demonstrates further leadership in shaping the future of customer health and I’m proud to be the first UK airline to offer CardioSecur’s new kit.”

The airline claimed that the most frequent reason for medical flight diversions is cardiovascular problems.

The airline was the first in the world to have a totally ECG-equipped fleet in the early 2000s. It is still the only UK airline with in-flight ECG capability.

In accordance with the agreement, CardioSecur will make its expertise available through an app-based solution to cope with critical in-flight medical problems.

Cabin staff will be able to record 12-lead ECGs using the lightweight, user-friendly equipment, which weighs 50 grammes, and transmit the data to a ground-based medical service using Wi-Fi and satellite.

The airline claimed that the kit’s quickness and sophistication will give the aircraft vital input, outlining the next medical actions and whether or not a diversion is required.

Virgin Atlantic claimed that the technique is based on vector cardiography and performs a thorough 12-lead ECG using just four body pick-up locations.

Koster added, “Our work with CardioSecur underpins our continued commitment to customer health, which will always be our top priority. We were proud to be the first airline in the world to have a fully ECG-equipped fleet and we’ve continued to remain at the forefront of aviation medicine.”

CardioSecur founder Felix Brand, the company’s chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Virgin Atlantic, a visionary airline that shares our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance passenger and crew safety.”

“Our partnership will empower airlines to provide swift and accurate support in medical emergencies and make a significant impact on in-flight healthcare.”