ANA - Takeoff Mode

ANA - Takeoff Mode

Now mobile devices are cleared for use during all phases of flight, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has created an app named ‘Takeoff Mode’ which helps distract nervous fliers with a simple puzzle game accompanied by relaxing background music during take-off and landing.

Currently available through the Apple store, a player tilts their iPhone or iPad to maneuver a ball over a grid, rolling over game pieces to add or lose extra points and time credits (video here ). There are multiple levels to the game, each more challenging, with portions of the grid popping up to block the movement of the ball.

While the game is being played, the app “listens” to the ambient noise in the cabin, and when the aircraft’s engines are at full throttle during takeoff, a special animation and message is displayed.

ANA developed the app after commissioning a 1,000 person survey, investigating passengers’ feelings about airline travel. The survey found that the most anxious flyers find takeoff to be the most stress-inducing part of the journey. Interestingly, passengers ranked puzzle games second only to listening to music as their preferred way to relax during a flight.

With changes in rules now allowing the use of personal electronic devices during all phases of flight, ANA saw the development of the app as a way to enhance passengers’ in-flight experience.

In the first week after being introduced in early December, the app has had over 1,100 downloads. An Android version is expected to be available in early 2015.