Flying on a commercial airline is awful. Or it can be, depending on who you’re sitting next to. Awful might not be a strong enough word, actually. Take a look at some Passenger Shaming images, if you don’t believe me. There’s not much that can be done to make it better, because the reality of the situation is this: People are the worst. That’s an unsolvable problem.

It is possible, however, to mask the symptoms. Qantas Airlines has partnered with Samsung Electronics Australia to do just that. Passengers will soon be able to leave the reality of the airplane cabin behind, and escape to a more hospitable virtual reality, with the Samsung Gear VR headset.

Samsung revealed the Gear VR headset last September. It’s the result of a collaboration between the South Korean device maker and Oculus, the virtual reality company that Facebook Inc. acquired for $2 billion, last year. Powered by the Galaxy Note 4, it provides unique, immersive content to the wearer. It’s the type of experience that can help users slip away to another world, which is why it’s perfect for travelers. In what Qantas is referring to as a trial entertainment service, the airline will make Gear VR headsets available to customers in Sydney and Melbourne International First Lounges. Delayed flights and layovers will be much more tolerable when you can kick back and experience the sights and sounds of a tropical paradise. If you prefer to save the tropical vacations for real life, you can use Gear VR to tour First Lounges in other cities. The Gear VR headsets will also be available to travelers flying first class on select flights. One of the hurdles that virtual reality hardware makers face is the lack of content. Even though this is only a three-month trial, Qantas is working with Jaunt, a production company, to develop content exclusively for the program. Passengers will be able to familiarize themselves with their destinations before they arrive, with Qantas’ interactive destination footage.

If you can’t afford to take a private jet on your next vacation, or if you can, but you choose not to, Qantas is making an effort to provide a pleasant commercial flight experience. Galaxy Note 4 owners can escape to a virtual world on their own for $199, now that the Gear VR is available at Best Buy. Here’s an idea! If you get a few extra headsets, you can rent them out to passengers on domestic flights. I know I’d pay to escape some of the reality I’ve seen when flying.

photo credit: samsungtomorrow via photopin cc