Iberia to trial in-flight Virtual Reality with InflightVR

As we seek to continue to be entertained at 35,000ft, Iberia and InflightVR have teamed up to start a trial in Inflight’s Virtual Reality offering aboard limited Iberia services,

InflightVR aboard an Iberia Business Class seat – Image, InflightVR

InflightVR aboard an Iberia Economy Class seat – Image, InflightVR

The service will be offered by Iberia and Inflight VR, who will offer this on services from Madrid to New York (twice daily with Airbus A350) and Madrid Tel Aviv (once daily with an Airbus A330-200)

The service will use Inflight VR’s second-generation Pico devices

These devices will be available for rent during flights.

According to the company, they will enable viewers to experience three-dimensional content in games, films, city travelogues, and documentaries, including dives into the depths of the Red Sea.

In quotes

Nikolas Jaeger, founder and managing director of Inflight VR, said,

“We think virtual reality has a great potential and it can change the air passenger experience as a part of the in-flight entertainment programme. The viewer is no longer a mere observer, but can take a stroll in the city he or she will be visiting, or simply relax before arriving at the destination.”

Ignacio Toval, Iberia’s Digital Transformation Director, added

”We learned about Inflight VR through Hangar 51, IAG’s start-up accelerator programme. Since 2017, we’ve been working together to develop a VR solution that can offer a new experience to our customers. An important aspect of Iberia’s digital transformation push lies in the incorporation of new technologies and digital innovation during the entire travel experience, from the moment they think about buying a ticket to arrival at the destination.”

A step into the future?

With the appeal of VR device and the content experiences it can offer, this is going to be interesting to watch, along with the adoption rates.

Both Iberia and InflightVR entered into a six-month trial agreement. When the results are examined, a decision will be taken about expanding the service to other medium-and long-haul Iberia routes.

It gives customers something important too – a choice in how they are entertained – be it in seat back screens, the window, the map, or a full Virtual Reality experience.

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