JTA-Jimbee Shark

JTA - JIMBEE SHARK

In this edition, we’ve featured several examples of airlines making use of virtual reality.

For example KLM has produced a VR film (soon tobe turned into an app) to highlight its long-haul services for North American passengers, while youthfocused airline ‘Joon’ will feature VR as part of its in-flight entertainment.

Another airline using VR in a campaign is JAL subsidiary, Japan Transocean Air (JTA). JTA flies domestic routes within Japan and has made a name for itself thanks to the colourful liveries on the side of its Boeing 737s.

This started in 2012, when JTA partnered with the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium to feature a “Jinbei” (or ‘Jimbee’), pattern on the side of a plane - Jinbei being the Japanese for Whale Shark.

The first specially painted B-737,in blue, was joined by a second one in pink in 2014.

JTA’s newest “Jimbee” jet will be a Boeing 737-800, which will enter service in November. However, as well as just painting the plane in shark colors, the airline is using VR to provide a more interactive experience for passengers.

Passengers will be able to use the inflight WiFi to connect their phones to VR glasses. They’ll then be able to see the airplane “swimming” with fish and other sea creatures in the sky.

The experience is delivered via a two minute video which show cases Okinawan nature, including whale sharks, clown fish, pink jellyfish. The idea is to showcase Okinawa for passengers travelling there before they arrive.

JTA is claiming a worldwide ‘first’ with this campaign, as passengers will not have to download app on their phones.

KEY TAKE-AWAY

Virtual Reality is not new. Painting your aircraft in colourful or unusual liveries certainly isn’t new. Nevertheless we really liked how these two elements are being combined.

Allowing passengers to see the aircraft ‘swimming’ with fish on the way to Okinawa while in-flight is a novel and fun way to bring the destination to life, promote JTA as a brand, and provide inflight entertainment.