There has been a recent trend lately among airliners to offer new luxury features and amenities on flights and we see the Australian airliner Qantas also getting onboard with their new virtual reality program. Qantas has partnered with Samsung Electronic Australia to offer first class passengers on select airplanes a chance to use Samsung’s new virtual reality headset: the Gear VR.
For the first time ever seen on an airliner, Qantas will be offering Samsung’s virtual reality headsets. As we have previously mentioned this will only be available to select passengers as it is a pilot program, no pun intended. Essentially if you choose to fly first class on one of the Qantas Airbus A380’s that flies from Los Angeles to Sydney or from Los Angeles to Melbourne, you can gain access to these cool virtual reality headsets. They will also be available is some select airport lounges.
With the Samsung Gear VR, passengers will be able to experience a multitude of virtual reality media. The headset comes with a Galaxy Note 4 to control it and it’s loaded with a bunch of stuff. Guests will be able to enjoy 360 degree tours of their destinations, preview some Qantas lounges, and even go on a virtual reality boat ride. Additionally passengers will be able to watch movies with the device however they will have to hook it up to their own laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
Qantas hopes that this device will provide passengers with a more enjoyable trip, and Samsung hopes that this program will make people want to purchase the device. This program is expected to start mid-February in Qantas lounges and we should expect to see the Gear VR headsets on planes in March. Unfortunately they will only be available for three months on-board those flights, as Qantas determines if they are a good investment. If you are interested in the Samsung Gear VR you can pick one up for $199, but you also need a $700 Galaxy Note 4.
Photo from Digital Trends
