Fly over Paris on a jet pack or fly there first class: virtual reality flights are taking off – with all the fun and none of the discomfort of the real thing
- Check in, get your boarding pass, watch the safety talk, eat a meal served by a flight attendant and visit a far-off city, all without leaving the ground
- If that’s too tame, take a fantasy flight: another virtual reality attraction allows you to strap on a jet pack and soar over Paris for a mere US$16
Travel is all about making a journey and seeing new and exciting things. But what if you cannot afford a trip or you aren’t physically able to travel? That is where virtual reality comes in – it is a natural fit for the tourism sector, and tech firms are busy creating revolutionary, sensory travel experiences.
These include the sorts of experience that only the wealthy can afford – and some which aren’t yet possible.
Japan’s Hiroaki Abe was ahead of the game when he launched the world’s first virtual airline in December 2016. Passengers on First Airlines get a boarding pass and experience the complete in-flight experience, from a greeting from the captain, to safety demonstrations, and meals and in-flight snacks served by flight attendants.
“I’ve always found airports and aeroplanes exciting and unusual places. It’s about a journey, and when you are on the plane you can think about where you are going, it’s exciting. I wanted to recreate that experience,” says Abe.
