Emirates Airlines has launched the world's first virtual reality app for an airline on the Oculus Store, allowing customers to explore the fully enclosed Gamechanger first-class suite, the onboard lounge on A380 aircraft, and their surroundings during their anticipated flights, using industry-leading and award-winning VR experiences. This step marks a significant move in Emirates' ambition to connect with customers worldwide and engage them through the advanced VR app, available to anyone with internet access via the Emirates app, and now through the Oculus Store for Oculus Rift users.
Botros Botros, Senior Vice President of Emirates for Corporate Communications, Marketing, and Brand, stated that Emirates aims to provide innovative and exceptional customer experiences, whether on board, on the ground, or in the digital space. He noted that Emirates became the first airline in the world to offer advanced virtual reality technology on its digital platforms in 2018, providing customers with an immersive opportunity to learn about the amazing Emirates experience that awaits them before boarding, and the airline has continued to invest and develop this experience, making it the first to launch a comprehensive virtual reality app on Oculus.
Botros added that this initiative helps expand global reach and enhance customer interaction across digital platforms, especially timely as the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many from traveling, who are now seeking inspiration, exploration, and rediscovery of travel options.
The app, developed in partnership with technology company Renacen, allows Emirates customers to navigate through economy, business, and first-class cabins, exploring their seats and surroundings, as well as the popular onboard lounge and shower spa on Emirates A380 aircraft. Emirates is currently working on an updated version that will include the premium economy cabin and the latest interior designs for the A380.
In the future, Emirates plans to enable customers to explore destinations, select cabins, book flights, and make payments through the Emirates Oculus VR app. Currently, users can explore the following Emirates virtual reality experiences through the Emirates Oculus VR app on the Oculus Store, providing lifelike, interactive cabin experiences on the leading A380 and Boeing 777-300ER Gamechanger aircraft.
For example, users can "pick up" items from the onboard lounge, "turn on" the shower in the shower spa, or close the suite door, in addition to exploring the cockpit as well. The Emirates website on personal computers or mobile devices, or the Emirates app for iOS and Android, offers an immersive 3D and web-based virtual reality experience as well as a 360-degree view of the Emirates Boeing 777 and A380 cabins.
Users can explore their seats before checking in online using a 3D seat map. This tool allows customers to navigate from one seat to another and book their preferred seat. Users can also enjoy hands-free navigation of the cabin and select their seat using a virtual reality headset like Google Cardboard. This award-winning technology is compatible with all devices without the need for external applications or additional components.
It is worth noting that Emirates' virtual reality experience has qualified for the finals, which included six candidates for the fifth International VR Awards this year in the category of "VR Marketing of the Year."
