Etihad Airways Reimagines Nicole Kidman in Virtual Reality

Etihad Airways has announced that its brand ambassador, Nicole Kidman, will star in a new “fully immersive” virtual reality (VR) film.

This will be Kidman’s debut on the new digital medium and the first time that a Hollywood actor appears in a VR film, or better described: long-form virtual reality commercial.

The setting for the film is onboard one of the airlines new Airbus A380 aircraft, outfitted with the airline’s new cabins interiors, including The Residence.

It is the same setting as the television spot released last year, but the VR medium allows greater creative freedom to explore the aircraft.

Whatever role Kidman plays in that exploratory aircraft tour, visitors to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai from April 25-28 will be the first to know.

https://youtu.be/sXlmF3eI9R0

Etihad Airways will release a trailer of the VR film at its stand during the ATM, and visitors can view the trailer on Google Cardboard technology and Samsung Gear headsets.

“This year’s Arabian Travel Market will be yet another great opportunity for Etihad Airways to showcase to a global audience how we continue to redefine travel. The VR film is the latest example of Etihad Airways’ on-going commitment to adopting cutting-edge digital technologies to reimagine the way we engage with our guests and how we communicate our innovations,” Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer.

During a recent interview with Skift, Etihad’s CMO revealed that there would be a follow-up campaign to last year’s television spots featuring Nicole Kidman, this time in a digital medium.