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Alaska Airlines Trials Virtual Reality On Some Flights (pcmag.com) 94

Posted by BeauHD from the new-perks dept.
Alaska Airlines is trailing virtual reality onboard 10 flights between Boston and Seattle and Boston and San Diego. The headsets are provided by French in-flight entertainment company SkyLights and will only be offered to first-class passengers. PCMag.com reports: The trial kicked off on Sunday, Sept. 23 and runs through Thursday, Sept. 27. Forget trying to pay attention to that small seatback monitor as jet engines and crying babies blare in the background. "Wearing the headset is comparable to having a personal movie screen in front of you," the airline said. "When paired with noise-cancelling headphones, it's easy to feel like you're at the movie theater instead of flying." Passengers participating in the trial can choose from a selection of 2D and 3D movies. [...] There's also several "360-degree immersive experiences that let guests explore different worlds by just slowly moving their head around," Alaska Airlines said.
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Alaska Airlines Trials Virtual Reality On Some Flights More

Alaska Airlines Trials Virtual Reality On Some Flights

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  • First class passengers... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Tomahawk ( 1343 ) on Thursday September 27, 2018 @06:08AM (#57383078) Homepage

    "Forget trying to pay attention to that small seatback monitor as jet engines and crying babies blare in the background."
    First class passengers don't get to partake in those particular experiences.

    Hmmm -- maybe that could be one of the simulations: VR Economy Class.

    • Hmmm -- maybe that could be one of the simulations: VR Economy Class.

      To complete the effect, they could also install "SensorRound" and "Feel Around" . . . the seats could compressed and squeeze you, and blubber from the virtual fat person next to you could spill over the arm rest!

      It would serve to remind First Class passengers why they are paying for First Class.

      • I'm seriously considering traveling as freight next time. I'd have way more room and pay less.

        I mean, if I get stacked like a sardine in a can with no room for my legs or my arms, I can as well call a spade a spade.

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by Anonymous Coward

          I can as well call a spade a spade.

          Can we watch while you do that?

        • Re:First class passengers... (Score:5, Informative)

          by Nidi62 ( 1525137 ) on Thursday September 27, 2018 @07:53AM (#57383300)

          I'm seriously considering traveling as freight next time. I'd have way more room and pay less.

          Some of those cans they use for cargo are actually roomier and more comfortable than you would think. If you go as bulk freight just make sure you are put in the pressurized bin and those are prime napping spots. The floor panel right by the door in the front bin of a 737 is even heated, very nice to have once you reach altitude. You learn some good tricks when you work on a ramp.

          • Re:First class passengers... (Score:4, Informative)

            by ytene ( 4376651 ) on Thursday September 27, 2018 @08:21AM (#57383350)
            A couple of weeks ago I read an article about an airline that was considering replacing some of the cargo space on passenger flights with actual bunk beds. The idea was that there would be a spiral staircase down from the seating deck to a bay with a small number of full-sized beds for people who wanted to use them. The frame containing these "bedrooms" would itself be modular, such that the airline could remove them and replace them with regular freight containers when they needed to do so.

            The article I saw didn't go in to details of the way that pressurisation would be handled - I may be wrong but I always thought that cargo spaces, even on commercial airlines, were not pressurised.

            But there are definitely plans out there to be able to send you as air freight!!!

            • Re:First class passengers... (Score:5, Informative)

              by Nidi62 ( 1525137 ) on Thursday September 27, 2018 @08:30AM (#57383364)

              A couple of weeks ago I read an article about an airline that was considering replacing some of the cargo space on passenger flights with actual bunk beds. The idea was that there would be a spiral staircase down from the seating deck to a bay with a small number of full-sized beds for people who wanted to use them. The frame containing these "bedrooms" would itself be modular, such that the airline could remove them and replace them with regular freight containers when they needed to do so. The article I saw didn't go in to details of the way that pressurisation would be handled - I may be wrong but I always thought that cargo spaces, even on commercial airlines, were not pressurised. But there are definitely plans out there to be able to send you as air freight!!!

              Some cargo bins are pressurized, some aren't. Also, while most widebody aircraft have crew rest areas above the cabin, some have been retrofitted to have crew rest modules below the cabin in the cargo area. I could see some airlines putting bunks down there for passengers, but the ability to access those bunks would definitely be a significant additional charge as airlines get some good revenue from freight and it would cut into that.

            • I may be wrong but I always thought that cargo spaces, even on commercial airlines, were not pressurised.

              Perhaps that would be why you always see fligh tattendants in the movies put on pressurized gear before entering the airlock that leads downstairs (it also might be why all those dogs and cats down below in their pet crates never seem to make it to the destination alive...). ;)

        • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

          by Alwin Barni ( 5107629 )

          I'm seriously considering traveling as freight next time. I'd have way more room and pay less.

          I mean, if I get stacked like a sardine in a can with no room for my legs or my arms, I can as well call a spade a spade.

          You know things can get even worse, you might be told that the seat you paid for was assigned to a higher priority customer, and better don't argue about your rights, they will not bother knocking teeth out to prove you're wrong, and the CEO will say "what's the fuss about, we asked politely 3 times first".

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by jrumney ( 197329 )
          I'm seriously considering piling my seat up with all the bags that other passengers inconsiderately leave on the top bunk, and claiming my economy class flatbed next time I fly longhaul.

      • They might give you one of those disposable paper masks that work as well as those toilet seat protectors

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      I've noticed that economy class seats have got a lot better in the last few years. Used to be that sleeping was next to impossible, there was just no support for your head and lower back. They are still not great but a hell of a lot better than they used to be.

      For noise foam earplugs can't be beaten for comfort. The only down side is that there is nowhere to store them when you need to take them out temporarily. The pointless magazine/safety leaflet pouch could be a lot more useful.

      • I've noticed that economy class seats have got a lot better in the last few years.

        Maybe on certain planes for your specific anatomy. I haven't noticed any widespread improvement though I have noticed decreasing leg room.

        Used to be that sleeping was next to impossible, there was just no support for your head and lower back.

        I've always been puzzled by "lumbar support" because I find such features in chairs to be terribly uncomfortable at least for my particular anatomy. They usually are just a big lump pushing my lower back forward which makes my lower back simultaneously painful and numb. I feel like they are trying to put me in a twerking position at full twerk which doesn't seem ideal.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by dcw3 ( 649211 )

          My gel type earphones (Bose noise cancelling) fit snuggly and you can hardly feel them once in place. They also reduce the noise level to a point that I can actually snooze in economy as long as I'm not being bumped by some clown or rugrat.

          • My gel type earphones (Bose noise cancelling) fit snuggly and you can hardly feel them once in place.

            I've tried a lot of different ear phones and haven't found one yet that I don't notice. Some are certainly better fitting than others but even just foam plugs which are about as soft as it gets bother me after a while though they can help at times. Guess I have sensitive ears.

            They also reduce the noise level to a point that I can actually snooze in economy as long as I'm not being bumped by some clown or rugrat.

            Headphones actually don't help me sleep - actually the discomfort of them tends to keep me awake more than the noise abatement helps. It's not typically noise that bothers me in most cases unless it is really loud and intermittent.

            • Re: (Score:1)

              by dcw3 ( 649211 )

              Just for clarification, I'm speaking not of full on headphones, but these
              https://www.bose.com/en_us/pro... [bose.com]

              I've had to put up with dogs barking and 20 something girls gabbing all night on a redeye when I'd forgotten to bring these along...wouldn't have been an issue for me with them.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          I'm mostly doing long haul in the 9-12 hour range. I've tried noise cancelling and on-ear headphones. On-ear is good for actually listening to stuff but not for sleeping, which is where you need the earbuds. They are so cheap I tend to buy a few pairs and just discard them when used once.

          Food is the other thing that varies a lot. The best I've ever had was on ANA, followed by JAL. I flew with a couple of Korean airlines recently and they weren't at all bad actually. For some reason the European airlines are

          • I've tried noise cancelling and on-ear headphones. On-ear is good for actually listening to stuff but not for sleeping, which is where you need the earbuds.

            I can't sleep with in-ear buds plus I don't really see the point of any sort of speakers for sleeping. Plain foam plugs are more comfy (for me) and don't require any power if I need noise abatement. Usually I can sleep without them anyway if I'm tired enough and have some sort of neck support.

            Food is the other thing that varies a lot. The best I've ever had was on ANA, followed by JAL.

            I've had food in some first class trips on Delta which was pretty solid for the most part. Coach? Meh... It was fine - nothing special but fine. Had some pretty good meals in coach on Singapore Airlines once. Had

        • I've always been puzzled by "lumbar support" because I find such features in chairs to be terribly uncomfortable at least for my particular anatomy.

          The problem with most lumbar support is that it doesn't move up and down, which means it's only suitable for those people within a narrow range. What is that range? It has to do with both your spine and your ass.

          My Audi A8's stock Recaros have a lumbar support that moves up and down and which inflates to get bigger, so that's actually useful. And we recently bought a bus with seats with dual lumbar support, which also works well. The bus has air suspension and air brakes, and also an air seat. Most air-infl

          • My Audi A8's stock Recaros have a lumbar support that moves up and down and which inflates to get bigger, so that's actually useful.

            Every car I've driven with adjustable lumbar support I just reduce to the smallest possible setting which is what my back is happy with. I have a Bolt EV right now which in most ways is a great little car but the seats are seriously uncomfortable for me due to the (not adjustable) lumbar "support". I actually stuff a cushion below where the lumbar "support" is to make it bearable for more than a 30 minute drive. Obviously this is just what works for my particular shape/structure and isn't what will neces

            • I actually stuff a cushion below where the lumbar "support" is to make it bearable for more than a 30 minute drive

              I had a similar problem in my 240SX. What I did in there was recline the seat a bit, actually open up the upholstery at the bottom of the seat back and stuff in a wedge cushion, then bend the seat frame at the top so that the whiplash arrestor would be in the right place. Problem solved. Then I sold the car, which is one of my great regrets :p

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by DarkOx ( 621550 )

        I agree the there have been some ergonomic improvements in terms of lumbar support; better padding etc. They have also gotten a lot narrower and reduced the leg room considerably. I think paying to make slightly better quality seats was a minimal concession for creating a situation where an averaged sized man 5'8" 120lbs can't do anything other than sit bolt up right without invading his neighbors space.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          Maybe it's only the long distance routes I travel, but there seems to be some competition driving the improvements. Most offer you a decent amount of leg room now, bigger screens and the like.

      • I've noticed that economy class seats have got a lot better in the last few years. Used to be that sleeping was next to impossible, there was just no support for your head and lower back. They are still not great but a hell of a lot better than they used to be.

        For noise foam earplugs can't be beaten for comfort. The only down side is that there is nowhere to store them when you need to take them out temporarily. The pointless magazine/safety leaflet pouch could be a lot more useful.

        How often do you travel? Could it just be you got lucky recently?

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          A few times a year. Lucky perhaps, I tend to book the cheapest that isn't at a ridiculous time.

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by mjwx ( 966435 )

        I've noticed that economy class seats have got a lot better in the last few years. Used to be that sleeping was next to impossible, there was just no support for your head and lower back. They are still not great but a hell of a lot better than they used to be.

        For noise foam earplugs can't be beaten for comfort. The only down side is that there is nowhere to store them when you need to take them out temporarily. The pointless magazine/safety leaflet pouch could be a lot more useful.

        Not sure who you've been flying (seriously, I'm interested) but economy seats have gotten worse for me. Singapore Airlines still holds the gold standard for me with 19" wide seats, almost no other airline comes close. However with the ever growing desire to shove more and more people into shrinking cabins, comfort hasn't been one of the things I've seen increase. The 787 Squeezeliner is by far the worst. Not only are they shoving as many seats as 777 into less space, they've also gotten rid of the window re

        • Re: (Score:3)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          The best I have found are ANA and JAL. Not tried Singapore. I flew with Asiana, they were okay. Nothing beats the Japanese airlines for pretty much anything, except perhaps the selection of English language stuff on the entertainment system.

          Second tier are European carriers. Virgin used to be crap, but stopped doing my routes. BA are okay but the food is really bad, and they are prone to cock-ups. Wet blankets (not properly dried after laundering I guess), delays, that sort of thing.

          Finnair are okay. Cheap,

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

            The best I have found are ANA and JAL. Not tried Singapore. I flew with Asiana, they were okay. Nothing beats the Japanese airlines for pretty much anything, except perhaps the selection of English language stuff on the entertainment system.

            Second tier are European carriers. Virgin used to be crap, but stopped doing my routes. BA are okay but the food is really bad, and they are prone to cock-ups. Wet blankets (not properly dried after laundering I guess), delays, that sort of thing.

            Finnair are okay. Cheap,

    • For the authentic experience of economy, we provide the complementary fat ass who didn't shower since Dubja was in office sitting next to you for FREE. For your inconvenience.

    • First class passengers don't get to partake in those particular experiences.

      You would think but really in most flights first class gets you a bigger more comfy seat with no fight for elbow space and depending on the flight maybe some better food. The "free" booze isn't a bad deal either if you like a bit of that. The amenities don't really pile on until you start flying long haul where you might get a plane with fold flat seats so you can actually sleep a bit but you are going to pay a huge price tag for that bit of extra comfort.

      I've flown Detroit to Tokyo in coach (twice) and a

  • If you didn’t get motion sickness you will n (Score:5, Interesting)

    by jellomizer ( 103300 ) on Thursday September 27, 2018 @06:15AM (#57383092)

    I myself rarely get motion sickness but the thought of having a VR unit while the plain is bumping, changing altitudes, speeding up or slowing down just makes me sick thinking of it.

    • Re:If you didn’t get motion sickness you wil (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Oswald McWeany ( 2428506 ) on Thursday September 27, 2018 @07:46AM (#57383280)

      I myself rarely get motion sickness but the thought of having a VR unit while the plain is bumping, changing altitudes, speeding up or slowing down just makes me sick thinking of it.

      This was my immediate thought and came here to make a similar comment. Some people get travel sickness; many people feel nauseous from VR. Combining the two seem like an absolutely ridiculous idea. The barf bag industry must have petitioned the airline to give VR a try.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      But could it be used to display a scence that corresponds to the movements of the plane, lessening motion sickness?

    • The opposite is the case. I've used my Oculus Go on a plane, and it's actually LESS nausea inducing, since the VR headset tracks your movement relative to the ground, and not to the plane. So if the plane banks and turns, the horizon in VR stays parallel to the REAL horizon, actually eliminating one of the causes of motion sickness on planes.

  • "Wearing the headset is comparable to having a personal movie screen in front of you," the airline said. "When paired with noise-cancelling headphones, it's easy to feel like you're at the movie theater instead of flying."

    While I'm sure some people would deal with it fine, this sounds like an amazingly efficient way to induce motion sickness in a sizeable percent of people using it.

  • Seriously, knock us out while flying. I want to board and then get off.

    Solves the terrorism issues during flight.

    That said, they should only offer roller coaster VR experiences. Over and over.

    • Great and as the oxygen masks drop down with the altitude warning blaring, you can blissfully nap away.

      • Works for me. I've experienced a cabin depressurization.
          It wasn't a serious one, it was a shattered outer layer of the windshield. Masks didn't drop but ears suffered badly until the emergency landing. So many fire trucks, police cars, and military vehicles lined up and then following us (civilian/military airport, Albuquerque).

        Odds of survival are very low if the masks drop. Let me sleep...

    • That said, they should only offer roller coaster VR experiences. Over and over.

      I think the combination of screaming and barfing might be a little disruptive...

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Can they put cameras on the outside... (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    of the plane and give us a live VR view of that? I'd pay for that.

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • They "trials" it? That can't be a verb. "Trialing" would be worse, but it's typoed as "trailing" instead.

  • Apparently it's no longer good enough that riding an airplane is the best way to catch a respiratory disease. Now they help you share eye infections as well!

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Ksevio ( 865461 )
      You can usually swap out the foam part that sits against your face. I'd expect they'd do that and wash it between customers

  • They're for the pilots

  • Some theme parks are outfitting roller coaster riders with VR headsets. The VR content is designed to go with motions of the roller coaster. In VR world when you are riding a dragon (or in a space ship, or whatever) and the dragon does a barrel roll, the coaster is going through its corkscrew. When well done, it's a cool effect.

    So... this means that on a plane, the pilot could synchronize the flight path and maneuvers with the VR content...

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by Ksevio ( 865461 )
      That'd be pretty cool if they put a 180 cam on the nose of the plane that you could view the flight from
  • Just put a damn 360 camera at the end of a pole on the tail of the plane, let us look around where we're at, in real-time, up 30,000 feet.
  • It's hard enough not getting sick on a flight, let's stick this communal VR headset on your face for the flight! YUCK!

  • Following passenger resistance to mandatory VR headsets, the US Airlines Association and the Pilots and Flight Attendants Union have succeeded in their petition to the TSA, NTSA and Federal Air Marshals that all passengers additionally be gagged and duct-taped to their seats.

    As a safety, weight, power and cost-saving measure, the switch that turns off the fasten seatbelt sign, is being removed from all aircraft. Diapers can be ordered at the time of reservation for a $30 charge, or purchased at check-in fo

  • Anyone else thinks this is reminiscent of STVOY: Equinox? :)

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
    • Some people get air sickness
    • Some people get motion sickness from VR
    • Let's combine the two!

  • Seriously. Just put cameras on the outside of the plane, and make it so passengers can look in any direction and see the world around the plane.

    Bonus points if Superman can visit.

  • Fun until you take off the goggles from that roller coaster simulation and discover the motion part wasn't part of the illusion.

  • Just make the plane transparent and remove the other passengers and seats.
    Would be hell for people with fear of heights but anything better than watching or hearing people or kids.

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