Qatar Airways explores the metaverse with new MetaHuman hostess

Sama - the MetaHuman cabin crew member on the Qverse. Photo: Qatar Airways

Hello Metaverse: Qatar Airways has officially launched QVerse, a unique virtual reality experience for website visitors.

Sama – the MetaHuman cabin crew member on the Qverse. Photo: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways recently launched a new virtual experience for premium customers, where users are able to virtually tour and navigate the Premium Check-in area at Hamad International Airport.

‘Qverse’ from Qatar Airways

The ‘Qverse’, as it is aptly named, is available on the Qatar Airways website, and allows users to explore the Hamad International Airport, the cabin interiors of the airline’s aircraft, including the business class Qsuite, and the economy class cabin, by using their own Personal Electronic Devices.

According to Tourism Update, Qatar Airways seem to be paving the way, as they are the first global airline to introduce a MetaHuman cabin crew member. The new service offers a one-of-a-kind digital interactive customer experience.

The MetaHuman cabin crew member is a digitally created 3D human model named ‘Sama’ offers the interactive customer experience through narrated engagement with each user, taking them on a virtual journey of discovery, while presenting the unique features in both the business and economy class cabins.

The experience was created using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, the world’s most advanced real-time 3D creation tool, and MetaHuman Creator, a cloud-based app for creating high-fidelity digital humans.

His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, said that this is a new, exciting way for travellers to embrace technology.

“With physical boundaries beginning to be challenged by the metaverse on an increasingly larger scale, it is exciting to embrace a technology that enables all travel enthusiasts to enjoy a unique immersive experience of our award-winning products and services.” he said

“Our status as the first airline to introduce a MetaHuman cabin crew is testament to our unwavering desire to innovate and delight our customers. We are constantly looking forward to adopting and introducing novel technologies that enhance our passengers’ complete journey.” he added.

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.