Samsung Gear VR headsets will be made available to customers on certain Qantas flights as part of a trial entertainment service being launched by Qantas and Samsung.As part of the trial, which will run over three months, a number of Gear VR headsets will be made available to customers in the Sydney and Melbourne International First Lounges, as well as in first class cabins on select A380 services.
Qantas states that over the course of the trial it will assess customer feedback on how the service might add to the overall travel experience on long-haul flights.
Qantas is working with production company Jaunt to develop and produce live-action content, including destination footage, with Tourism NT the first tourism group to partner with Qantas on content creation, with a 3D experience from Kakadu National Park.
“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,” commented Qantas Group executive, brand marketing and corporate affairs, Olivia Wirth.
“From an in-flight 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.”
The Gear VR headsets will arrive in the Sydney and Melbourne lounges from mid-February, and on select A380 flights between Australia and Los Angeles in the first class cabin from mid-March.
