Passengers on British Airways long-haul flights can now get 3D surround sound – and you don’t have to travel in first class to get it either.
Advances in technology mean anyone flying in any cabin, using either their own headphones or those offered by British Airways, can hear the new 3-surround sound.
The first movies to use the high-tech audio tracks on the airline’s flights are Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Guy Ritchie’s retro-hit, The Man from U.N.C.L.E..
Richard D’Cruze, British Airways’ in-flight entertainment manager said: “3D surround sound adds a whole new dimension to watching your favourite movie, giving greater depth which really immerses you in the action and unfolding drama.
“We’re always looking for new ways to make flying with British Airways even better so when we heard about 3D sound, we were determined to bring this latest innovation to our customers.”
You can hear the difference between standard sound and new 3D sound by comparing these two clips of Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, on British Airways’ YouTube channel.
Jason Haney, brand account manager at Spafax, the team behind bringing the new sound technology to British Airways, said: “It’s brilliant that British Airways customers can have access to this latest hi-tech development on flights around the world.”
3D audio is achieved by taking the original 5.1 surround sound mix and creating a stereo encode which can be used on any in-flight entertainment system. Using any pair of headphones it gives customers an immersive audio experience where the action appears to sound as though it’s happening all around them.
While not every movie will be adapted to the new technology, British Airways plans to add more films with 3D surround sound to flights over the coming months.
British Airways has also started to roll out a new range of headphones for customers in every cabin offering better sound reproduction and greater reliability.
Those travelling in First, Club World and World Traveller Plus will be able to listen to movies, TV shows and audio tracks through headphones with improved noise cancelling technology, while those flying in World Traveller can use new silicone tipped earbuds offering greater noise isolation and comfort, which they can take home with them.
