I hope by now everyone knows what VR is, probably in a way or another has experienced it, or has seen someone experience it. If that be the case, then you should know just how weird the experience can be. Depending on the content someone is watching the VR Experience may lead someone to dodge (e.g. a bullet), fall down flat, move around in terror, or just be in a state of total chaos. The VR Experience can also be entertaining as someone may just decide to dance uncontrollably, wank, smile, cry, or just laugh hysterically. For gamers, hitting object by accident is not uncommon.
With these in mind, you may just wonder how crazy British Airways is to decide that such experiences ought to be part of a flight experience for passengers flying British Airways. Coming soon and starting in UK first, British Airways will be testing VR Experience for its passengers where the passengers will be allowed to enjoy 3D world of entertainment. From now until the end of 2019, customers travelling on select flights in First from London Heathrow to New York JFK will be able to enjoy through VR Experience a selection of award-winning films, documentaries and travel programmes in 2D, 3D or 360° formats. The headsets from VR eyewear specialists, SkyLights, allow customers to fully immerse themselves in 3D view regardless of the position they are sat in. The experience even works when they are lying fully flat.
British Airways is the first UK airline to trial the technology and has worked with experts to select a range of therapeutic programmes, including guided meditation and sound therapy, specifically designed for customers who have a fear of flying.
Sajida Ismail, Head of Inflight Product at British Airways, said: âWe are always looking at the latest technology to enhance our customersâ experience on the ground and in the air. Virtual reality has the power to revolutionise in-flight entertainment and weâre really excited to trial these new glasses as they should create a unique and memorable journey for our First customersâ.
The AlloSky virtual reality headsets are designed by SkyLights, a former alumni of British Airwaysâ parent company IAGâs Hangar 51 start-up accelerator programme. Earlier this year, British Airways trialled the technology at Heathrow Terminal 5, giving customers a glimpse of the Club World cabin through virtual reality.
2019 is British Airwaysâ centenary year. The airline has launched BA 2119: Flight of the Future, a first-of-its-kind exhibition at Saatchi Gallery throughout August, British Airwaysâ birthday month. The exhibition, in collaboration with the Royal College of Art, is based on global research commissioned by British Airways to identify what aviation could look like in the future. It is also showcasing Fly, a virtual reality experience tracing humankindâs relationship to flying from the earliest imaginings of Leonardo da Vinci and his ornithopter, to the Wright Brothersâ success on Kitty Hawk and the first passenger flight to Paris. Users can also experience Concorde, the brand new A350 and the imagined flight of future.
British Airways is investing ÂŁ6.5 billion for its customers over five years, including the installation of the best quality Wi-Fi and power in every aircraft seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline has introduced its Club Suite, a new business class seat with direct aisle access. British Airways is also hosting a range of activities and events throughout the year to explore the future of sustainable aviation fuels and the aviation careers of the future.