British Airways Launches a Sch-amazing Virtual Reality Experience

9 December, 2014: Nicole Scherzinger, former Pussycat Dolls lead singer and multi-platinum selling solo artist helped British Airways launch the latest innovation, which allows customers to experience destinations in a virtual world before booking.

The carrier is using 'Oculus Rift' virtual reality headsets to bring three iconic US experiences to life through high grade, 360 degree video – riding a  bucking  bronco  in  Texas,  roller  skating  down  the  boardwalk  on a California beach and ice skating overlooking New York’s famous skyline.

Residents of Lebanon are  very  keen  to  use  technology while travelling  with  38 percent of those recently surveyed by British Airways  using  online  check-in  before they fly and  34 percent of those asked book their tickets online.

Nicole  Scherzinger  said  “The  videos  that  British  Airways has created transport  me  to  some  of  my  favourite  US  experiences!  As a frequent traveller this new technology is super exciting. I would use it to get inspiration for a holiday and check out somewhere new before I arrive. Being able to step into a destination before I actually get there is sch-amazing!

The virtual reality experiences are part of an investigation designed to trial how technology could be used by the next generation of travellers. Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager, Middle East and Central Asia, said, “This is just the start of what could be a huge breakthrough for future travellers. Imagine being able to walk  around  the  hotel  that  you  are about to book, or look around Time Square  to  see  what attractions are nearby. It is the ultimate try before you fly.  Today’s travellers are checking out their destinations on TripAdvisor, street view and maps and this is the next step to let the customer actually experience destinations in the virtual world.”

To create the sensation that customers have been transported to the US, BA’s three virtual reality experiences have been created using real life footage filmed on location by six cameras on a specially designed rig. The six individual videos were then stitched together to create a 360 degree experience, which transports users across the Atlantic in stunning virtual reality.

Paolo De Renzis concludes, “Virtual reality technology is developing fast and will be a game changer for the travel sector. It is taking researching  a  business  trip  or  holiday  to  the  next  level and soon, customers  will  be able to view their travel destinations from their homes as never before.”

Images can be accessed using the below link:

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=525747105

Embedded caption is: LONDON, UK: Nicole Scherzinger tries an Oculus Rift that British Airways will use as a virtual reality technology to bring to life some of the most iconic US destinations for European customers, photographed in London on 26 November 2014 (Picture by: Nick Morrish/British Airways)

Notes to editors:

About British Airways:

• British Airways flies to 179 destinations, 9 destinations in the UK, 84 in Europe and 86 in the rest of the world.
• The airline is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying approximately 40 million passengers around the world every year.
• The airline offers a choice of four cabins on the majority of its long-haul services.
• The airline is investing in new aircraft, new cabins, new technology and new routes.
• British Airways operates the majority of flights from Terminal 5, its home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches.
• British Airways is half way through a more than £5bn investment in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.
• British Airway’s home Terminal 5 has been recognised as the world’s best terminal for the third consecutive year in the Skytrax awards.