European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has patented a virtual reality (VR) helmet that will help passengers forget they're even on an airplane.

Most people that fly will usually pick the more affordable economy class. There's a reason why economy costs cheap. Economy's uncomfortable compared to business and first class.

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Apart from TV, movies and music, there's not much to take one's mind off the cramped situation one finds in economy.

That's why Airbus wants to use VR helmets on its aircraft. The helmets will help passengers in economy forget they're in the worst part of the aircraft.

Imagine economy passengers losing themselves in hours of great virtual reality experiences and not complaining about the tight seats or their fellow passengers..

Airbus' patent filing says the helmet offers sensory isolation with regard to the external environment. The helmet has a variety of possible uses.

It broadcasts music through the built-in headphones. Passengers can watch movies and could watching these movies in 3D either by using an opto-electronic screen or through image diffusion glasses.

The visor can also serve as a computer screen. A virtual keyboard will at the area where the meal trays are. Passengers can use a pair of motion capture gloves to type away at the virtual keyboard.

The idea seems horrible because of what it says for economy-class flying and how people need to escape from the travails of flying economy.

Using VR helmets, however, is an interesting idea given the possibilities and the fact that flying in economy won't be improving any time soon.

TagsVR, Helmet