Qantas and Samsung create virtual inflight entertainment

Third Place Illustrative ÒVR4Ó by Master Sgt. Fernando Serna, U.S. Air Force. Tech. Sgt. William Lexa (left) and Senior Airman Raymond Pettit conduct virtual reality research at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, on pilot/cockpit systems to help make their training more realistic.
By Hannah Edensor


Qantas will be the only airline to offer a virtual reality entertainment experience inflight.

Qantas and Samsung Electronics Australia have launched a new trial entertainment service for customers.

The service uses Samsung virtual reality (VR) technology to give customers a three-dimensional experience in a 360 degree style interactive format.

Qantas’ VR headsets will transport customers to an immersive virtual world at the click of a button, showcasing the sights of network destinations, new Qantas products and the latest inflight blockbuster movies.

As part of the trial, a number of Samsung Gear VR headsets will be made available to customers in Sydney and Melbourne International First Lounges, as well as in the First Class cabins on select A380 services.

Qantas will be the only airline to offer a virtual reality entertainment experience inflight.

The trial will run for three months to assess customer feedback on how this kind of VR offering might add to their overall travel experience on long-haul flights.

Qantas Group’s executive, brand, marketing & corporate affairs, Olivia Wirth, said the technology will open up a new world of lounge and inflight entertainment.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Samsung Electronics Australia chief marketing officer, Arno Lenior, said the deployment of Samsung Gear VR technology across selected Qantas services will provide a fun new experience for customers.

“Samsung is immensely proud to be working with Qantas to deliver Samsung Gear VR entertainment technology through the airline’s first class services, both in the air and on the ground,” Lenior said.

“We believe Samsung Gear VR, one of the latest innovations from Samsung, will open new worlds for Qantas customers who experience the technology for themselves.”

Qantas will also kick off a partnership of sorts with production company Jaunt, to develop and produce some live action content.

Tourism NT is the first group to partner with Qantas to create destination footage, with a special 3D experience from Kakadu National Park.

The Samsung VR headsets will be featured in the First Class Lounge in Sydney and Melbourne from mid-February and on select A380 flights between Australia and Los Angeles in the First Class cabin from mid-March.

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