Japan's First Airlines offers virtual reality flights that go nowhere

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This was published 6 years ago

Japan's First Airlines offers virtual reality flights that go nowhere

By Soo Kim
Updated
Passengers are seated in Airbus A380 or A340 aircraft seats.

Passengers are seated in Airbus A380 or A340 aircraft seats.Credit: First Airlines

Travel enthusiasts short on time and money can now jet-set around the world in first class in just two hours at essentially the cost of a Ryanair flight - all without ever leaving the ground.

First Airlines - the 'world's first virtual airline' hub based in Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo's commercial and entertainment districts - is taking armchair travel to new heights with the help of virtual reality (VR) technology.

Passengers on a First Airlines flight are issued with an official boarding pass and can expect the full on-board experience, complete with the "highest grade" four-course in-flight meals served by a team flight attendants, official in-flight announcements, safety demonstrations and ambient engine and radio sounds simulating the noises within an aircraft, using VR headsets within a makeshift aircraft setting.

Passengers can travel to Paris without leaving the ground on the virtual reality flight.

Passengers can travel to Paris without leaving the ground on the virtual reality flight. Credit: First Airlines

Seated in A380 or A340 aircraft seats, fliers can experience take-off and landing as well as a 360-degree virtual city tour upon arrival at the destinations on offer, which include Paris, New York, Rome and Hawaii, through projection mapping and video features on their VR headsets.

The in-flight meals, devised by experienced "top chefs", showcase the local cuisine of the destinations, ranging from Manhattan clam chowder featured in the New York course to salmon tartare and caviar for the French offering and Tiramisu in the Italian menu.

Offered from around 4980 yen ($60) in business class and 5980 yen ($72) in first class, the virtual reality flights are currently available for bookings through April. See http://firstairlines.jp/

Passengers on a First Airlines flight can expect the full on-board experience, complete with in-flight service.

Passengers on a First Airlines flight can expect the full on-board experience, complete with in-flight service.Credit: First Airlines

The latest venture is the first time virtual reality and other high-tech features have been used to enhance travellers' experiences.

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Last November last year, the Tate Modern showcased its first use of technology at its new Amedeo Modigliani exhibition, offering visitors an immersive virtual journey through a recreation of the artist's studio via a VR headset. Qantas has also experimented with offering passengers virtual reality experiences in their first class cabin.

Last year, Royal Caribbean International unveiled a "high-sensory" virtual dining experience to be launched across its fleet that combines both augmented and virtual reality, which the cruise company claimed will be the first offering of its kind at sea.

The in-flight meals are themed according to the local cuisine of the destinations.

The in-flight meals are themed according to the local cuisine of the destinations.Credit: First Airlines

The immersive experience saw users transported to a vibrant Japanese garden upon consuming a glowing blue ball seen through the VR headset but that in reality was a savoury canapé and was designed to enhance the taste of the food, according to the company.

The Telegraph, London

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