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Fly from Tokyo to Paris without leaving the ground

By Francesca Street, CNN
Updated 10:45 PM EST, Tue February 20, 2018
<strong>VR travel:</strong> Japanese company First Airlines uses virtual reality to take travelers on journeys around the world -- without leaving the ground.
VR travel: Japanese company First Airlines uses virtual reality to take travelers on journeys around the world -- without leaving the ground.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Stress-free vacations: </strong>Forget baggage fees or busy airport transfers -- First Airlines' aim is to create a more affordable, stress-free vacation.
Stress-free vacations: Forget baggage fees or busy airport transfers -- First Airlines' aim is to create a more affordable, stress-free vacation.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Cross-continental flights:</strong> First Airlines offers journeys from Tokyo to Paris, New York, Rome and Hawaii -- at just 4980 yen ($46) for Business Class and 5980 yen ($56) for First Class.
Cross-continental flights: First Airlines offers journeys from Tokyo to Paris, New York, Rome and Hawaii -- at just 4980 yen ($46) for Business Class and 5980 yen ($56) for First Class.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Inspiration:</strong> The inspiration behind the concept was to create an easy alternative to long-distance travel. "For me, it's difficult to have a trip because of the cost like time and money," First Airlines manager Hirokai Abe tells CNN Travel.
Inspiration: The inspiration behind the concept was to create an easy alternative to long-distance travel. "For me, it's difficult to have a trip because of the cost like time and money," First Airlines manager Hirokai Abe tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>In-flight dining: </strong>The 'in-flight menu' depends on the destination of choice -- Manhattan clam chowder and cheesecake for New York and salmon tartar and onion soup for Paris.
In-flight dining: The 'in-flight menu' depends on the destination of choice -- Manhattan clam chowder and cheesecake for New York and salmon tartar and onion soup for Paris.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Air steward service:</strong> Passengers are served the meals by air stewards, alongside drinks and other snacks, as if they were up in the air.
Air steward service: Passengers are served the meals by air stewards, alongside drinks and other snacks, as if they were up in the air.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Realistic setting:</strong> The surroundings and interior mimic an airport and airplane. "If I can easily access the airport and take a flight even though it's virtual, I thought it would be so cool," says Abe.
Realistic setting: The surroundings and interior mimic an airport and airplane. "If I can easily access the airport and take a flight even though it's virtual, I thought it would be so cool," says Abe.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Maximum realism:</strong> The cabin features state-of-the-art Airbus 310 and 340 seats -- as used on real planes.
Maximum realism: The cabin features state-of-the-art Airbus 310 and 340 seats -- as used on real planes.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Personal service:</strong> The cabin can accommodate 12 people -- there are eight first-class seats and four business-class seats per flight.
Personal service: The cabin can accommodate 12 people -- there are eight first-class seats and four business-class seats per flight.
Courtesy First Airlines
<strong>Destination tours:</strong> Upon "arrival," guests can enjoy a 360-degree tour of the destination.
Destination tours: Upon "arrival," guests can enjoy a 360-degree tour of the destination.
Courtesy First Airlines
Fly from Tokyo to Paris without leaving the ground
CNN  — 

Imagine jet-setting from Tokyo to Paris, enjoying first-class travel, a four-course dinner and a city tour – all without leaving the ground.

This isn’t a sci-fi fantasy. This is the future of air travel according to Japanese company First Airlines, which has harnessed the power of virtual reality to create dream vacations.

Passengers avoid the costly airport transfer, the baggage fees or busy airport terminal – and instead enjoy the perks of business or first-class travel and a luxurious tour of Paris – all while remaining stationary in Tokyo.

As well as the City of Light, First Airlines also offers the virtual destinations of New York, Rome and Hawaii.

In-flight experience

First Airlines replicates the inside of a real aircraft.
First Airlines replicates the inside of a real aircraft.
Courtesy First Airlines

At just 4,980 yen ($46) for business class and 5,980 yen ($56) for first class – these two-hour flights are far more affordable than their real-life counterparts.

“For me, it’s difficult to have a trip because of the cost like time and money,” First Airlines manager Hirokai Abe tells CNN Travel.

“If I can easily access the airport and take a flight even though it’s virtual, I thought it would be so cool.”

The food served depends on the "destination."
The food served depends on the "destination."
Courtesy First Airlines

'Teleporting' to Hawaii: How virtual reality is changing travel

After boarding, guests can settle down for the two-hour flight on their state-of-the-art Airbus seat – surrounded by decor that mimics the inside of an aircraft, for maximum realism.

“There is flight service and VR, foods, music for every destination,” adds Abe.

Passengers will be served a delicious meal by air stewards, alongside drinks and other snacks.

The menu depends on the destination of choice – Manhattan clam chowder and cheesecake for New York and salmon tartar and onion soup for Paris.

Upon “arrival,” guests can enjoy a 360-degree tour of the destination – all thanks to projection mapping and video.

How VR theme parks are changing entertainment in Japan

Stress-free vacation

The flights are targeted at those limited by cost or health.
The flights are targeted at those limited by cost or health.
Courtesy First Airlines

It makes for a supposedly stress-free vacation, perfect for those whose ability to travel abroad is limited by cost or health.

Virtual reality is becoming increasingly omnipresent in the world of travel – allowing travelers to enjoy the wonders of the world, all without leaving their house.

Tokyo-dwellers keen to experience First Airlines can book a trip on the website, with reservations currently being taken until April 2018.

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