Meta Expands Quest 3 In-flight Entertainment to Additional Airlines Following Successful Lufthansa Trial

Last year, Meta made headlines when it partnered with the German airline Lufthansa to introduce Quest 3 headsets as part of their in-flight entertainment options. The initiative turned out to be a hit, and now Meta is setting its sights on bringing this immersive XR experience to an even larger number of airlines.

Meta initially rolled out its much-anticipated Travel Mode for Quest 2 and newer versions, addressing the challenges VR users face during motion, whether on land, at sea, or in the sky. This clever feature allows for a seamless virtual reality experience by minimizing the motion discrepancies that often plague VR enthusiasts on moving vehicles.

Taking the success of Travel Mode a step further, Meta launched an innovative pilot program in June. Passengers flying in Lufthansa’s Allegris Business Class Suite on selected flights had the chance to explore the capabilities of the Quest 3. Whether indulging in movies and TV shows on expansive virtual screens, exploring spatial and 360-degree videos, unwinding with guided meditation, or engaging in classic games like Connect Four and chess, travelers found a new dimension of entertainment at their fingertips.

With Quest 3 now entertaining nearly 4,000 Lufthansa passengers, Meta is thrilled with the program’s success and is eager to extend this cutting-edge experience to more airlines. As Sarah Malkin, Meta’s Director of Entertainment Content at Reality Labs, expressed, “This activation marks a pivotal moment in the development of our Travel Mode and immersive services. We’re now focused on expanding this offering to more airlines and optimizing our product suite.”

While Meta hasn’t disclosed which specific airlines are next on its radar, the experience is likely to remain an exclusive offering, targeting Business and First-Class passengers. These premium classes typically come with a suite of luxurious perks, from cozy lay-flat seats and noise-cancelling headphones to gourmet meals and top-notch beverages.

The use of XR headsets by airlines isn’t a completely new concept. Back in 2015, Qantas Airlines in Australia was among the pioneers to experiment with Samsung Gear VR headsets as a unique entertainment option for first-class flyers. Other airlines such as Air France, Iberia, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines have also dabbled with VR headset programs over the years, although those projects have since concluded. Now, Meta’s renewed efforts might just spark a fresh wave of XR experiences at 35,000 feet.