In Planeview
Virgin Airlines has launched an interactive tour service that lets potential flyers view the flying accommodation in full before booking.
The Planeview interactive tour uses augmented reality to let users take a web tour of their Upper Class suite by automatically scrolling through a 360-degree panoramic view of the cabin. Specific clickable targets give access to more information about the fleet and amenities offered.
Air travel is becoming more polarized: Budget travelers are willing to go bare bones to save a buck and luxury options abound for those willing to pay for premium amenities. There has been increased options on board and off, in airports, and when it comes to online tools created to help users find out exactly where they can be treated like a VIP.
Because the majority of bookings are being made online, these virtual tours, intended to entice customers into making reservations in first class, are reaching out to consumers in the space where most people are engaging with the brand. Indeed, according to Mintel’s report Airlines – US, August 2014, 76% of respondents said that they book flights themselves online when they fly.
While this First Class suite is a luxury and likely niche in terms of the number of consumers who invest in this particular upgrade, the virtual tour which shows users exactly what is included in this choice may influence more travelers once they see exactly how luxurious it is.
Why are we sharing this?
With the use of technology, consumers today expect to see exactly what they are paying for, especially if it’s a premium. Anytime a company can make use of augmented reality or other online tools to show a consumer more precisely what they get for their money, the more likely they are to find success.
Source: Mintel Trend Observation: In Planeview















