Nicole Scherzinger, former Pussycat Dolls lead singer and multi-platinum selling solo artist, helped British Airways launch its newest innovation, which allows customers to experience US destinations in a virtual world before booking. See Nicole’s reactions, and watch how customers across Europe respond as they’re transported to a Californian beach front, ice-skating in New York, and riding a bucking bronco in Texas. The clip is available on v.youku.com/v_show/id_XODU0MTMyNTIw.html. Nicole Scherzinger said “The videos that British Airways has created transport me to some of my favourite US experiences! As a frequent traveller this new technology is super exciting. I would use it to get inspiration for a holiday and check out somewhere new before I arrive. Being able to step into a destination before I actually get there is sch-amazing! The virtual reality experiences are part of an investigation designed to trial how technology could be used by the next generation of travellers. This is just the start of what could be a huge breakthrough for future travellers. Imagine being able to walk around the hotel that you are about to book, or look around Time Square to see what attractions are nearby. It is the ultimate try before you fly. Today’s travellers are checking out their destinations on TripAdvisor, street view and maps and this is the next step to let the customer actually experience destinations in the virtual world. To create the sensation that customers have been transported to the US, British Airways’ three virtual reality experiences have been created using real life footage filmed on location by six cameras on a specially designed rig. The six individual videos were then stitched together to create a 360 degree experience, which transports users across the Atlantic in stunning virtual reality. Virtual reality technology is developing fast and will be a game changer for the travel sector. It is taking researching a business trip or holiday to the next level and soon, customers will be able to view their travel destinations from their homes as never before. - End - About British Airways British Airways’ route network currently serves more than 179 destinations in 75 countries. The airline has been flying to mainland China for over 30 years and currently offers daily flights from Beijing and Shanghai to London, and five flights a week in summer schedule as well as three flights a week in winter schedule from Chengdu to London. Now travellers can also book flights on ba.com to travel to the UK and Europe from Chongqing, Changsha, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Nanjing, Sanya, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Xiamen via Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu on Air China, China Eastern Airlines or Hainan Airlines or via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific or Dragonair. British Airways is half way through its £5 billon investment in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground. The airline operates the majority of its flights from Terminal 5, its state-of-the-art home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches. In March 2014, Terminal 5 was named by Skytrax as the Best Airport Terminal for the third year running, based on surveys of 12 million frequent travellers and also won the Best Airport Shopping award. In October 2014, British Airways has triumphed in the 2014 Business Traveller Awards, winning Best Airline, Best Short-Haul Airline and Best Frequent Flyer Programme. The airline has held on to the top spot for another year after winning these three categories at the 2013 awards. In February 2014, British Airways was named the UK’s Consumer Superbrand of 2014, securing the top position against 1,500 other brands and becoming the first airline or travel brand to win the prestigious title.  For further information on British Airways, please visit ba.com. British Airways press office contacts Paradigm Communications Beijing Office　　　　　　　　　　　Shanghai Office T: (010) 8580 0783　　　　　　　　　T: (021) 6360 5511 Cherry Zhang 　　　　　　　　　　　Seara Zhong E: cherryzhang@paradigm.com.hk　　E: searazhong@paradigm.com.hk Cassie Chen　　　　　　　　　　　Shaley Han E: cassiechen@paradigm.com.hk　　E: shaleyhan@paradigm.com.hk