Plane passengers will soon watch in-flight movies on VR headsets
SkyLights latest Virtual Reality Headset allows viewers to watch videos through glasses in 2D, 3D or 180-degree format, with footage projected on the lens in front of their eyes
FOR anyone that struggles to relax while on a plane, the world of air travel just became a whole lot more appealing.
The first virtual reality headset designed specifically for planes has been released - and it could completely change the way we experience on-board entertainment.
In-flight entertainment company SkyLights have introduced a new lightweight virtual reality headset, the AlloSky to create the ultimate flying experience.
Users are able to watch videos through glasses in 2D, 3D or 180-degree format, with footage projected on the lens in front of their eyes.
The design has been adapted from the company's previous headset models to make the glasses 60 percent lighter, so they are comfortable enough to wear continuously on long-haul flights.
By viewing entertainment through a virtual reality system rather than on a screen, passengers are able to immerse themselves fully in the media - and can forget they are on a plane in the first place.
SkyLights will be able to stream film and television content from 20th Century Fox, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, National Geographic, Lionsgate, and BBC directly to the AlloSky for passengers to enjoy.
Air France will be the first airline to experience the virtual reality product, introducing it to flights on the millennial sub-branch, Joon, from 2018.
While the device will be provided free of charge to all first and business class passengers, those that fly economy will have to pay an additional fee to rent their own headset.
At the product's release in Long Beach, California on Monday, SkyLights CEO David Dicko said: “Airline cabins on long haul flights provide the near-perfect opportunity for widespread discovery and use of premium immersive technology.
“Long haul passengers are captive and hungry for high-quality, sit-back-and-relax entertainment, or better still, lie-back-and-relax entertainment, with a premium on entertainment that enables passengers to forget their environment.
"For the first time, it also presents airlines with the unique opportunity to actually lead the way in innovation and offer an experience that exceeds what is available on the ground."
