Brain Waves: Virtual flight bookings, biometric baggage drops, and more…

Amadeus creates virtual booking experience

Navitaire, a subsidiary of Amadeus, has created a new solution that allows customers to complete their entire travel booking in Virtual Reality. With their VR headset on, users can spin the globe and see 3D images of each destination. If they like what they see, they can then go through the entire booking process – including 3D tours of the aircraft cabin – right through to payment.

Delta plans first biometric baggage drop

Delta Air Lines is introducing four self-service baggage drop machines at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, one of which will be the first in the US to incorporate facial recognition technology. The baggage drop station will scan the passenger’s face and match it with their passport or ID card photo. The airline is investing US$600,000 in the four new machines.

Skyscanner integrates voice recognition

Skyscanner, the flight booking site, has integrated its search tools with Microsoft Cortana, allowing users to make spoken requests. Available on Windows 10 desktop and phone, Cortana for iOS and Android, the new tool uses artificial intelligence to handle voice queries. This includes questions about routes, pricing and flight status on any route, plus queries about the best time to book.

Etihad to 3D print aircraft parts

Etihad Airways Engineering has signed an agreement with Diehl Aerosystems to design, manufacture and install 3D-printed cabin parts on an aircraft for one of its customers. The project will see the two companies create an in-flight entertainment cover plate, to be installed in the economy seats on several aircraft. 3D printing is an increasingly cost- and time-effective way to develop aircraft parts.