Emirates is making history as the first airline to use web virtual reality on its website. The airline is using a visualization engine to create immersive, three-dimensional views of the interior of aircraft such as the Emirates Boeing 777 and Emirates A380.
It’s a useful tool for customers who want to get a better feel for their seats and cabin during the booking process. It will be available for the First Class, Business, and Economy class cabins by visiting the 3D Seatmap. There, users can also get a view of the Emirates A380’s Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, whether they’re considering booking or just curious what perks it offers. They can also turn the cabin lights on and off to see how it looks at different times of day.
The graphics’ high-quality nature means the view is very close to reality. Users who have VR headsets, such as Google Cardboard, will also be able to experience hands-free cabin navigation and select their seats with confidence. No plug-ins or external apps will be needed to make use of the feature.
In addition, customers who visit the Emirates site on mobile devices or through the Android or iOS apps can use the 3D seat map to explore their seats prior to checking in online. They’ll be able to navigate between different seats and book the seats they desire right from inside the 3D environment.
Emirates worked together with user experience experts Renacen to come up with the pioneering technology. The Spanish company recently took home a Crystal Cabin award in the “Best Visionary Concept” category for this project.
New videos give users an immersive view of Emirates’ unique features
They’ve also added new product videos that portray the travel experience in every cabin, highlighting the airline’s unique features. Usability studies with frequent flyers and customers from around the world are ongoing with a view to further enhancing the user experience.
Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand (Digital), Alex Knigge, said the move is part of their aim to give clients a “world-class digital experience.”
Knigge stated: “We are pleased to be the world’s first airline to introduce this cutting edge web VR technology, which offers our customers an immersive opportunity to learn more about the fantastic Emirates experience before they step on board. In our usability tests with customers, we found that they particularly appreciated the 3D seat and cabin models when selecting their seats.”
