Emirates has launched the world’s first virtual reality application for an airline, on the Oculus Store, allowing customers to explore the fully enclosed Gamechanger First Class Suite, the A380 in-flight salon, and the surroundings of their seats on their awaited flights, using Industry-leading, award-winning VR experiences.

Emirates has taken a qualitative step in its ambition to connect and engage its customers around the world through its advanced VR application, available to anyone able to connect to the internet, through the Emirates application, and now via the “Oculus Store” for Oculus Rift users.

Emirates Airlines Senior Vice President of Communication, Marketing and Branding, Boutros Boutros, said that Emirates aims to “provide innovative and distinguished customer experiences, whether on board, on the ground or in the digital space,” according to what the WAM agency reported.

He pointed out that in 2018, Emirates Airlines became the first airline in the world to offer advanced virtual reality technology on its digital platforms, which provided customers with an immersive opportunity to learn about the Emirates experience that awaits them before boarding the plane, while the airline continued to invest and develop this experience, until Today it became the first carrier to launch an integrated virtual reality application on Oculus.

Boutros added: “This initiative contributes to expanding global reach and the ability to interact with customers across digital platforms. It came at the right time, as the Corona pandemic caused many to not travel, who are now seeking to inspire, research and rediscover the journeys and options available to them.” .

Developed in partnership with technology company Renacen, the app allows Emirates customers to navigate Economy, Business and First class cabins and explore their seats and their surroundings, as well as the famous in-flight salon and ‘shower spa’ on the Emirates A380.

Emirates is currently working on an updated version, adding a premium economy class cabin and the latest A380 interiors.

In the future, Emirates plans to provide customers with the ability to explore destinations, choose cabins, book flights and pay through the Emirates Oculus VR app.

Users can currently explore the following UAE virtual reality experiences through the Emirates Oculus VR app on the Oculus Store, which offers users life-size and interactive cabin experiences on board the flagship A380 and Boeing 777-300ER Gamechanger.

The user can, for example, “pick up” items from the air salon, “turn on” the shower in the shower spa, or close the private suite door, as well as explore the cockpit.

On PC, mobile, or the Emirates App for iOS and Android, Emirates.com offers a 3D and virtual reality web view and 360-degree view of the cabin of the Emirates Boeing 777 and A380.

The user can explore their seat before checking in online, using the 3D seat map.

The tool allows the customer to move from one seat to another, and reserve the preferred seat, and the user can enjoy navigation in the cabin using hands-free, and seat selection using a virtual reality headset such as “Google Cardboard”, and this award-winning technology is compatible with all devices without the need for External applications or plug-ins.

It is noteworthy that the Emirates virtual reality experience was qualified in the final list, which included 6 nominees for the 5th International VR Awards this year, in the category “Virtual Reality Marketing of the Year”.