If you thought in-flight entertainment was limited to tiny screens and recycled movies, think again. Last year, Meta Quest introduced Travel Mode, an experimental feature that blends mixed reality into your flight experience. Now, in an exciting update, Lufthansa is rolling out Quest 3 headsets to passengers through a groundbreaking pilot program, transforming Business Class travel into something straight out of a sci-fi flick.
Picture this: you’re nestled into your Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Suite, and a crew member hands you a Quest 3 headset. Suddenly, you’re not just cruising at 35,000 feet—you’re exploring immersive virtual worlds. Fancy a movie? Watch it on a giant virtual screen. Want to sightsee? Take a virtual tour of stunning destinations. You can even challenge your seatmate to Connect Four or Chess, unwind with meditation exercises, or kick back with a passive VR experience. The clouds outside might be the only thing still tying you to reality.
This isn’t just a gimmick—passengers are loving it. Nearly 4,000 travelers on select international routes have already tried it, and the response has been a resounding thumbs-up. “We’re ecstatic about the success and the enthusiastic feedback,” says Bjoern Becker, Lufthansa’s Program Lead for Future Intercont Experience. “Immersive tech is clearly the next big thing in in-flight entertainment.”
But wait, there’s more! Lufthansa has partnered with CUPRA (Volkswagen Group) to launch the first-ever in-flight test-drive app. Buckle up and dive into the CUPRA Tavascan, the brand’s newest electric ride. From your plane seat, you can tweak the car’s design, customize it to your liking, and take a virtual spin through Barcelona’s streets or a sleek CUPRA Garage. “We’re all about sparking emotions and shaking things up,” says Patrick Sievers, CUPRA’s Global Head of Marketing. “This collaboration with Meta and Lufthansa lets us connect with new audiences in a totally fresh way.”
The innovation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lufthansa, Meta, and developer MSM.Digital snagged the 2025 APEX Award for Best Inflight Entertainment—a well-deserved nod to this game-changing service. For Meta, it’s a big step forward. “This is a turning point for Travel Mode and our immersive offerings,” says Sarah Malkin, Meta’s Director of Entertainment Content at Reality Labs. “We’re already working on bringing this to more airlines and fine-tuning the experience.”
So, next time you’re jetting off to Shanghai, San Francisco, or Cape Town, don’t just fly—immerse yourself. With Quest 3, your trip starts the moment you board. Keep an eye out as Lufthansa and Meta expand this service to more routes and carriers soon. The future of flying? It’s already here, and it’s virtual.