Virtual Reality Is Coming to Emirates and Etihad’s Lounges
Jennifer Billock April 05, 2018
United Arab Emirates rival airlines Etihad and Emirates are both launching a trial of virtual reality headset experiences for travelers visiting their lounges, following in the footsteps of Qantas, one of the first airlines to offer the experience.
Competing airlines Emirates and Etihad both made separate announcements last week that they will be launching trials of virtual reality entertainment headsets in their respective lounges. Both will be using the SkyLights Aero Virtual Reality entertainment headsets. The goal is to gauge traveler interest in using the headsets.
“By conducting trials such as this, we already understand that modern travelers expect more information and seek increasingly connected and immersive experiences which engage and entertain them on every level,” Etihad’s vice president of guest experience and delivery Linda Celestino told Gulf Business. “Gone are the days when a premium lounge experience just meant comfortable design, luxurious amenities and fine dining.”
Etihad will be using the headsets in its Terminal 3 first and business class lounges in Abu Dhabi Airport. Emirates will run the trial in the Concourse B business lounge at Dubai International. Both airlines plan to roll out the technology to further lounges if the trials go well.
For Emirates, travelers can expect a range of 2D and 3D films and video, including Alien Covenant, Batman vs Superman, Planet Earth, and a range of other box sets, movies, and documentaries.
Both airlines will have staff available to assist with the trial and use of the devices. Emirate and Etihad are following the lead of Qantas, one of the first airlines to roll out this service back in 2015 for first class passengers.
