Overview of Meta Quest 3’s Inflight Innovations
- Meta is trialing the Meta Quest 3 on Lufthansa flights, receiving encouraging reviews and aiming for broader airline implementation.
- The innovative Travel Mode enhances the flying experience by enabling immersive virtual reality during flights.
- Meta Quest’s inflight presence has earned a Best Inflight Entertainment award and sets the stage for future expansions in aviation.
Meta is thrilled with the positive feedback from its pioneering initiative to introduce the Meta Quest 3 on Lufthansa flights. The company intends to broaden this program to include more airlines, allowing travelers an exciting way to engage during flights. This integration provides travelers with an immersive escape during their journey and simultaneously promotes Meta Quest to potential new users.
In 2024, Meta Quest headsets introduced Travel Mode, permitting usage even while passengers are onboard airplanes or trains. With the Meta Quest 3 operating as both a virtual reality and mixed reality headset, users can either immerse themselves completely in digital experiences or remain aware of their surroundings. The device’s hand tracking technology also simplifies interaction, eliminating the need for cumbersome external controllers. Although some dedicated users have traveled with the headset before, the experience of using it in-flight presents a novel opportunity.
Approximately 4,000 passengers on Lufthansa flights have already experienced the Meta Quest 3 firsthand. Both Lufthansa and Meta have expressed satisfaction with their collaboration, reporting overwhelmingly favorable user feedback, as noted by Björn Becker from the Lufthansa Group. The initiative’s warm reception has resulted in the Meta, Lufthansa, and MSM.digital team earning the 2025 APEX award for Best Inflight Entertainment. Meta’s Sarah Malkin regards this success as a transformative moment for the development of the Travel Mode and has indicated plans for expansion to additional airlines, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Success of Meta Quest 3 in Flight Experiences
Long flights can often lead to fatigue and boredom, a common sentiment among frequent travelers. However, the introduction of a VR headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, can dramatically transform the flying experience. By utilizing the headset, users can escape their confined space and immerse themselves in engaging environments, effectively enhancing their long-haul flights. The Meta Quest’s Travel Mode not only serves to entertain but also offers an opportunity for those unfamiliar with VR to experience its capabilities firsthand. Proponents of virtual reality often emphasize the phrase “seeing is believing,”as the technology presents a unique, immersive experience that mere descriptions cannot encapsulate.
While it has not been officially announced, it’s reasonable to expect that if the Meta Quest 3 is introduced to additional airlines, it will likely be prioritized for passengers flying in business or first-class. Fortunately, both the Meta Quest and the more affordable Meta Quest 3S are reasonably priced, making them accessible to economy travelers who may wish to bring their own headsets for in-flight enjoyment.