Airline Virtual Reality, R.O.I and Reusability

Why invest in VR?

Digitally recreating aircraft for virtual reality creates a great number of benefits that could end up saving organisations a great deal of money, whilst simultaneously reaping the rewards for using the latest cutting-edge technologies.

The first stage of generating significant ROI from VR actually comes from the foundations of the project, where the aircraft is digitally modelled into a 3D file. Once created, this file becomes a dynamic, future-proof, multi-purpose asset.

1. Marketing, Training and Design VR Experiences

Starting with the obvious, this 3D asset can be used and reused as the foundation to multiple VR experiences. If the cabin is recreated accurately, perhaps for a narrative-driven marketing VR experience, the same cabin can be used as the basis for more marketing VR, crew training or as a cabin design tool, for example.

While there may be the need for a few additions, such as the modelling of life jackets or the software development needed to create training scenarios, the bulk of such a project will already have been completed with the construction of the most important feature — the aircraft.

2. CGI Image and Video Renders

Having this cabin environment replicated in detail for a VR experience also creates the opportunity for further content. Hyper-realistic images and video animations can be exported in real-time from the environment, giving marketing, content and comms teams access to unprecedented amounts of material.

Where this would usually involve grounding an aircraft, lining up photographers and navigating a logistical minefield, VR and 3D assets give teams the power to almost instantaneously capture high-resolution stills or cinematic clips of cabin features, seats, in-flight products, amenities and more.

3. Seat Maps

These 3D assets can also be used to create more immersive, engaging and informative website booking portals giving users a 360° first-person view of their chosen seat and the onboard amenities. Web teams are able to take visuals from the 3D environment and integrate a booking functionality without the stress and resource that go into starting from scratch.

4. Augmented Reality

From iOS and Android apps through to Microsoft’s latest Hololens, the uses of AR are only just starting to be explored properly — from customer-facing tools (like KLM’s baggage checker) and marketing takeaways to visual training aids. 3D assets generated for VR can be reused to become the projected images in the foregrounds of each of these AR applications.

5. IFE Apps

Even in the skies, 3D models can be used as the basis for IFE apps and games like fleet and aircraft explorers, allowing passengers to find out more about the features of that particular aircraft and those in the wider service by interactively exploring each and every plane in the airline’s fleet as well as the intricate details of the one they’re actually sitting in.

Conclusion

Without being a definitive list, it’s clear to see these assets have a huge ROI potential due to their reusability and cost-saving benefits across departments.

One of the most important things to note is that these 3D assets are easily editable. They can be changed and updated alongside the airline’s core products, ensuring that they always remain relevant. They are future-proof and uniquely versatile, and reinforce an airline’s commitment to the customer and to innovation in an increasingly competitive market.

Intrigued? Have questions? Get in touch.