Traveling first class really can be a private affair. Even if you are not in an aircraft that provides an enclosed suite, you are still pretty much on your own. To aid with that, you can slip on your airline-provided noise canceling headsets and just be in your own little world for the length of the flight – “interrupted,” of course, by first class dinners and service!
But if all of that wasn’t private enough already, Samsung and Qantas are starting to roll out a trial to provide virtual reality headsets to first class passengers on some of their flights. According to the reports, the Samsung Gear VR headsets will be used to give the passengers up front a virtual experience of the “sights and delights of network destinations, new Qantas products and the latest inflight blockbuster movies.” Qantas Press Release
From Qantas
It will be offered on limited A380 flights between Australia and Los Angeles beginning in mid-March. Before that, it will be offered to customers in the First Class Qantas lounges in Melbourne and Sydney. Here are some of the details from the press release:
Qantas Group Executive, Brand, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Olivia Wirth said the technology will open up a new world of lounge and inflight entertainment for customers, as well as give Qantas a powerful way to preview destinations and experiences.
“Whether the user wants a virtual tour of our new Los Angeles First Lounge or experience an A380 landing from the tarmac, this technology gives us a completely new way to connect with our customers,” said Mrs Wirth.
“From an inflight entertainment perspective, it’s an industry first. Qantas is committed to being at the forefront of innovation to give our passengers the very best and latest in-flight experiences, like accessing the virtual worlds of their favourite Hollywood blockbusters from the comfort of their seat 40,000 feet above the ground.
“It’s also a fantastic tool to feature our network’s destinations, inspiring travel and promoting tourism.”
I am a big fan of technology and love seeing it employed throughout various industries to give customers more interactive experiences. With virtual reality becoming a bigger idea in many areas, it should be interesting to see how airline first class passengers receive this trial. Depending on what content they provide, this could be pretty cool. I would love for a nice 360 degree camera under the airplane – that hooked up to this should provide some cool images!
Source: Qantas Press Release
