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Dubai-based airline, Emirates, has recently introduced 3D seat and cabin models on their app. This makes them the first airline to use web virtual reality (VR) technology on its digital platform. The model is a visual engine that displays an immersive, 3D and 360-degree view of the carrier’s interior cabins. It simulates both the Emirates A380 (a double-deck, four-engine jet aircraft) and Emirates Boeing 777 (a long-range, twin-engine jet aircraft).

The VR tools gives customers the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their future aircraft in clear detail and from various different angles. Passengers can navigate the Economy, Business and First-class cabins, as well as the exclusive Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa. It is compatible with all smart devices without requiring any external applications or plugins. There is also an option for hands-free cabin navigation and seat booking using VR headsets such as Google Cardboard. In addition to the new 3D models, high-quality product videos are also available on their website. Similarly, they function as a guide to the variety of features unique to the Emirates on-board product.

The central aim is to supply customers with better pre-purchase information and a sense of control over their flying experience prior to boarding. Emirates hopes to ease common travel consumer pain points like limited legroom and bad airline interactions. A smooth journey is especially important for long-haul passengers. Other examples of airline innovations seen previously include simulated VR trips to New York, Paris, Rome or Hawaii by Japan’s First Airlines. In Lithuania, a new assistive software was developed to make take-off – the point at which most fatal incidents occur – safer. British aviation start-up Waves Technology also introduced an on-demand air taxi service for flights between the Channel Islands and mainland UK. What other technologies are disrupting the aviation industry?