LONDON - Fear of flying is one of the most common phobias in the world. In the United States, as many as 6.5% of the population suffer from aviophobia, while anything from 20% to 30% of people in general are apprehensive about flying. Fortunately, some help is at hand, since British Airways has announced that it will be offering virtual reality films and headsets to its first-class passengers on select flights from London to New York, writes Simon Chandler for Forbes.com. Continue reading original article
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
August 22, 2019-British Airways is the first UK-based airline to employ virtual reality (VR) offerings aboard its jets, but joins Air France, Garuda Indonesia, SriLankan Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and XL Airways as a carrier with VR options for passengers. BA will roll out its VR program to first class passengers on flights from London to New York.
Sajida Ismail, Head of Inflight Product at British Airways, said: “We are always looking at the latest technology to enhance our customers’ experience on the ground and in the air. Virtual reality has the power to revolutionize in-flight entertainment and we’re really excited to trial these new glasses as they should create a unique and memorable journey for our first customers."
In addition to traditional films and documentaries, the VR headsets, which are made by SkyLights, will also have calming virtual reality experiences like swimming with dolphins, or enjoying picturesque lakes as a way to allay fears in passengers with aviophobia.
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Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
