The Qantas Club at Sydney Airport’s domestic T3 terminal hosted a special pop-up performance last Friday featuring numbers from Les Misérables.
Cast members and Helpmann Award Nominees Simon Gleeson and Hayden Tee will presented three songs from the revival of the acclaimed musical, which is now wowing Sydney audiences after a successful run in Melbourne.
QANTAS and Samsung have launched a trial entertainment service that uses virtual reality to give customers a three dimensional experience in the air.
As part of the trial, Samsung Gear VR headsets will be available to customers in Sydney and Melbourne International first class lounges from mid-February, and first class cabins on select A380 flights between Australia and Los Angeles from mid-March.
Donning a headset will give Qantas customers 360 degree virtual reality vision of destinations such as Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, new Qantas products, and in-flight movies.
“Qantas will be the only airline to offer a virtual reality entertainment experience in-flight,” Qantas said in a news release.
The trial will run for three months to assess customer feedback on how the VR experience adds to the overall travel experience on long-haul flights.
Qantas spokesman Olivia Wirth said the technology would open up new lounge and in-flight entertainment for customers, as well as give Qantas a powerful way to preview destinations and experiences.
“Whether the user wants a virtual tour of our new Los Angeles First Lounge or experience an A380 landing from the tarmac, this technology gives us a completely new way to connect with our customers,” Mrs Wirth said.
“From an in-flight entertainment perspective, it’s an industry first. Qantas is committed to being at the forefront of innovation to give our passengers the very best and latest in-flight experiences, like accessing the virtual worlds of their favourite Hollywood blockbusters from the comfort of their seat 40,000 feet above the ground.
“It’s also a fantastic tool to feature our network’s destinations, inspiring travel and promoting tourism.”
Samsung Electronics Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Arno Lenior, said the use of Samsung Gear VR technology across selected Qantas services would provide an exceptional experience for customers.
“We believe Samsung Gear VR, one of the latest innovations from Samsung, will open new worlds for Qantas customers who experience the technology for themselves,” Mr Lenior said.
Qantas said it was working closely with production company Jaunt to develop and produce the live-action content including destination footage.
TEN widows of World War One veterans will be flown for free by Qantas to Anzac Cove for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, subject to medical checks.
The women, who range in age from their 70s to early 90s, married the veterans long after they returned from war. In some cases, there was an age difference of more than 40-years.
A Qantas spokesman said the widows would be accompanied by a carer as well as nurses, Department of Veteran Affairs staff, and an Australian Defence Force doctor.
“We are honoured to be carrying war widows and their carers to Turkey so they can attend commemorative services at Gallipoli,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
“Two of Qantas’ founders, Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh both served with distinction in the First World War and today, their legacies remain strong as do our ties with the services of the Australian Defence Forces.”
Mr Joyce also announced an additional flight for Australians travelling to Turkey for Anzac Day, departing Sydney on April 21.
The Boeing 747 seats 364 passengers and will help carry those people who received a ticket in the Federal Government ballot to attend the historic Anzac Day service.
Only those with an attendance pass will be able to attend the official commemorations at Anzac Cove.
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael Ronaldson said those who missed out on a pass would have other opportunities to attend commemorative services.
“Those without attendance passes for Anzac Day 2015 may consider visiting Gallipoli on August 6 for the Battle of Lone Pine commemoration service,” said Senator Ronaldson.
“Australians can also attend a Dawn Service in Australia or watch the televised broadcast of the Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux services.”
He commended Qantas for helping to carry Australians to Turkey for the historic event.
“The Anzac Centenary is a milestone of special significance to all Australians as the First World War played such an important role in defining us as nation and as a people,” Senator Ronaldson said.
