Meta to Bring Quest 3 In-flight Entertainment to More Airlines After Successful Lufthansa Program

Meta made headlines last year when it announced a partnership with German airline Lufthansa to introduce Quest 3 headsets for passengers. Following the success of this initiative, the company is now looking to expand its in-flight XR entertainment programs to other airlines.

Introducing the highly anticipated Travel Mode last year, Meta enabled Quest 2 users to experience a seamless VR experience in-flight, addressing the challenge of motion synchronization between the user and the airplane.

Building on the success of Travel Mode, Meta launched a pilot program last June for passengers in the Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Suite, offering Quest 3 headsets on selected flights. Passengers could enjoy a range of activities such as watching movies, TV shows on virtual screens, immersive videos, guided meditation, and playing games like Connect Four and chess.

With the Lufthansa program successfully entertaining nearly 4,000 travelers, Meta is looking to expand its in-flight entertainment offerings to more airlines in the near future.

“This activation signifies a significant milestone in the advancement of our Travel Mode and immersive services,” said Sarah Malkin, Meta’s Director of Entertainment Content, Reality Labs. “We are now focused on extending this offering to additional airlines and enhancing our product suite.”

While Meta has not disclosed the specific airlines it intends to collaborate with, it is expected to be a feature exclusive to Business/First Class passengers, offering a premium experience with amenities like lay-flat seats, noise-cancelling headphones, gourmet meals, and top-shelf beverages.

This is not the first instance of airlines utilizing XR headsets as a luxury perk. In 2015, Qantas offered complimentary access to Samsung Gear VR for first class passengers. Other airlines that experimented with VR headset pilot programs include Air France, Iberia, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines, although these initiatives have since been discontinued.