Thomas Cook enlists virtual reality for 360 degree in-flight showcase

Virtual reality production specialist Visualise has launched a VR experience for Thomas Cook Airlines.

Virtual reality production specialist Visualise has launched a VR experience for Thomas Cook Airlines.

The airline’ Fantasy Flight campaign gives customers the opportunity to experience a 360º in-flight experience.

The concept, devised by digital creative agency Catch Digital, involves holidaymakers being ‘transported’ to the cockpit of a Thomas Cook plane, where they can jump to videos taken in economy and premium class.

Joined by some familiar faces and characters, connected to three of the airline’s newest destinations, viewers are invited to find clues within each film and submit their answers to a microsite where they have a chance to win a £3,000 holiday to Los Angeles.

The experience is “best viewed” through the mobile YouTube app and Google Cardboard, although it has also been made available online in a browser.

The footage was captured using GoPro cameras.

The latest developments follow on from Thomas Cook’s Virtual Reality ‘Try Before You Fly’ campaign, which saw Visualise visit popular tourist hotspots including New York, Egypt and Singapore to capture the immersive VR experience that allows customers to experience a holiday destination from within selected Thomas Cook concept stores in the UK, Germany and Belgium.

Henry Stuart, Founder and chief executive of Visualise, said: “This campaign highlights that travel companies are realising the potential that VR has when connecting with customers.

“The initial ‘Try Before You Fly’ destination campaign saw an 180% increase in New York excursions booked after the VR launch, and we’re hoping that this campaign continues to build on that success.”

Jonathan Smith, founding partner at Catch Digital, added: “2016 is set to be virtual reality’s breakout year.

“This new technology is perfectly placed to highlight Thomas Cook Airlines’ new routes and high-end A330 aircraft.

“We had a lot of fun on the shoot with a 50+ strong crew of actors, airline staff and impersonators to bring the new destinations into the cabin, as well as providing clues which viewers can find to enter a competition to win a holiday to LA.”