In-Flight VR Coming to Australian Airline

Qantas announces partnership with Samsung to bring Gear VR headsets to first-class fliers.

by Eddie Makuch on January 30, 2015

Australian airline Qantas has announced a partnership with Samsung to bring the technology company's Gear VR headsets to the cabin, beginning with a trial run for first-class fliers starting next month.

As part of the test run, Gear VR headsets will be available to Qantas fliers in the Sydney and Melbourne International Airport first-class lounges, and also in first-class on select A380 flights from Australia to Los Angeles.

Qantas points out that it is the only airline anywhere to offer in-flight VR.

This trial run will span three months, and Qantas will seek fliers' feedback to see if offering VR to customers is something the company wants to take on in a larger, more official capacity.

"This technology gives us a completely new way to connect with our customers," Qantas marketing executive Olivia Wirth said.

Some of the Qantas VR experiences will include virtual tours of the company's new first-class lounges at Los Angeles Airport, as well as a VR simulation of landing. Other in-flight entertainment options will include movies and audio experiences.

Qantas will also use the Gear VR headset to let passengers take virtual trips to one of the airline's other destinations, which they say should inspire travel and promote tourism.

It's already happening. Qantas points out that Australian company Tourism NT has already partnered with the airline to create a 3D VR experience for Kakadu National Park that will be shown to fliers.

The Gear VR headsets will be available on select Qantas flights for first-class passengers beginning in mid-February, with another rollout in March for trips between Australia and Los Angeles.

For long-haul flights such as the trip between Australia and LA, it's not hard to see the appeal of being able to totally block out other passengers and virtually escape for a while. And for Qantas, letting travelers virtually experience other destinations instead of just looking at a tourism brochure seems like it could have some upside for ticket sales.

Samsung's Gear VR headset launched in December, and is available now for $200 through an "Innovator Edition." The device requires a Note 4 to function as the screen.