A virtual cinema, extensive cockpit tour or a hang glider already floating high up in the air. Transavia is experimenting with virtual reality entertainment on board.

The first pilot was during the flight from Amsterdam to Barcelona last Thursday. Some passengers got the opportunity to try the Olculus Rift DK2 on board of the aircraft. This virtual reality sensation from Silicon Valley is not yet available in stores, but is already being used by Transavia. “We want to be the first” said Roy Scheerder (commercial director at Transavia). “Service and digital services are two of the key targets for Transavia to grow to 10 million leisure and business passengers per year. As an airline we are therefore always looking for digital innovations to optimize the experience of travelers on board. “This initiative fits with our ambition.”

Virtual cockpit-tour

During the flight a handful of volunteers had the opportunity to test the virtual reality glasses. They were allowed to choose one of the three available programs. There is a virtual movie theater where you imagine yourself as a passenger in an empty movie theater with airline seats where you can watch a movie on the big screen. For travelers who want to know how things work in the cockpit, there is a virtual cockpit-tour. You will be welcomed by the Transavia pilot in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 and get a step by step explanation where the different instruments are used for.

The hang glider

Spectacular is also the virtual flight tracker. You can imagine yourself as a user in a hang glider and you float high in the air. During the flight you can see all the place names of villages and towns you pass during the actual flight. Eventually a large Transavia Boeing will pass the hang glider. “The sound of the wind and the airplane provides an ultimate virtual reality experience.” said Shearer.

Innovation on board

The airline works for this pilot actively with The Virtual Dutch Men and Yumble, parties who have a lot of experiences with virtual reality. If everything goes according to schedule, Transavia might be able to offer this new services within a year. Shearer: “In the field of new products, we want to play a leading role in the aviation sector. We are proud to be among the first airlines to welcome this innovation of virtual reality on board.”