Qantas taking virtual reality sky high in partnership with Samsung

Qantas today announced that it will be trialling Samsung's Gear VR virtual reality headsets as an inflight entertainment option and in its lounges. The headsets will be used to showcase local and international destinations, Qantas products and inflight blockbuster movies.

Gear VR headsets will initially be restricted to First Class customers travelling between Australia and Los Angeles and to the First Class Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne. Qantas will run the trial for three months to assess how virtual reality might add to customers' overall travel experience on long-haul flights. At present, Qantas will be the only airline offering an inflight virtual reality experience.

Qantas Group Executive, Brand, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Olivia Wirth said the headsets will give the airline a powerful way to preview locations: “[Gear VR is] a fantastic tool to feature our network’s destinations, inspiring travel and promoting tourism”.

Qantas has already partnered with Tourism NT to create a virtual reality experience from Kakadu National Park.

Gear VR headsets will be available in the Sydney and Melbourne First Class Lounges from mid-February and on select flights from mid-March.

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