Exeter Airport has unveiled a cutting-edge virtual tour that aims to set a new benchmark for accessible air travel.
The fully interactive online tour allows users to navigate the airport, from car parking, check-in and security through to departure lounges and gates.
It is being seen as one of the most advanced examples of how technology can support inclusivity in air travel, especially those with anxiety or mobility issues, making flying easier and more reassuring for all passengers.
The tour has been created by award-winning company The Virtual Tour Experts, a leading creator of accessible 360° tours based in Sidmouth. They were selected to be part of the 2024 cohort of the Future of Air Mobility accelerator, a six-month programme designed to trial disruptive new innovations in the aviation sector, funded and delivered by the UK‘s government-backed Connected Places Catapult.
As their showcase project, The Virtual Tour Experts partnered with Exeter Airport to launch an immersive online walkthrough of its terminal facilities via the next-generation digital tour.
Stephen Witshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, said: “This project underlines our commitment to making Exeter one of the UK’s most accessible and welcoming regional airports, and is designed to make travel easier and more enjoyable for everyone. We’re proud to provide passengers with tools that not only ease anxiety but also make planning their journey simple, enjoyable and inclusive.”
Neil Henderson, Managing Director of The Virtual Tour Experts, added: “Being selected for the Future of Air Mobility Accelerator was a huge endorsement of our mission to make travel more accessible. We chose Exeter Airport because it is a progressive regional hub that shares our values of inclusivity and innovation. This project shows how airports of all sizes can harness immersive technology to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and create a more welcoming journey for every passenger.”
The project is believed to be the first aviation virtual tour to incorporate British Sign Language alongside sensory-aware features such as ambient soundscapes to reduce travel anxiety and day/night modes to mimic different travel conditions for neurodiverse travellers.
The virtual tour was a year in the making and developed in conjunction with ongoing feedback from Exeter Airport’s PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) Consultative Committee.
The Virtual Tour Experts recently surveyed over 450 users across their transport virtual tours and 97% rated the tours as an easy way to navigate and 95% felt it would increase confidence when travelling.
This means the virtual tour can particularly benefit first-time flyers, passengers unfamiliar with the terminal, and those with additional needs – giving them the chance to explore the airport in detail before they travel.
An innovative “autopilot” function provides clear step-by-step guidance from the entrance to the gate, improving wayfinding and reducing the need for assistance. At the same time, the tour integrates opportunities to book parking, browse duty-free offers and access executive lounges, supporting the passenger experience.
And the virtual tour includes future-proof content management, allowing the airport to keep it updated.
To explore the virtual tour, visit http://virtualtour.exeter-airport.co.uk
