Alaska Airlines and Loft Dynamics Partner to Develop First Boeing 737 VR Flight Simulator

• Alaska Airlines invests in Loft Dynamics to co-develop a full-motion VR simulator for Boeing 737 pilot training.
• Compact, high-fidelity system aims to improve training access, frequency, and realism across the aviation industry.

Alaska Airlines is investing in Loft Dynamics to develop the first hyper-realistic virtual reality flight simulator for the Boeing 737. This initiative, funded through Alaska’s venture arm, Alaska Star Ventures, seeks to integrate XR-based training into the airline’s pilot education programs.

"Pilot training has significantly evolved over the past 30 years, from training solely in an aircraft to using full-flight simulators. With the potential of Loft’s hyper-realistic VR simulator, we could be transforming commercial pilot training as we know it today. These VR simulators could provide a fully immersive, high-fidelity, data-driven experience that replicates real-world flight scenarios — all in a device compact enough to fit in a standard office. This accessibility could allow pilots to train more frequently and refine their skills with greater efficiency. We are committed to offering the most advanced training solutions available, including VR, and look forward to being Loft’s first fixed-wing customer," said Capt. Jeff Severns, Managing Director of Flight Operations Training , Alaska Airlines on the company's official website.

The VR simulator will feature six-degrees-of-freedom motion, force feedback, and full-body tracking, delivering a high-fidelity training experience in a device that’s 1/12th the size of legacy systems. Alaska Airlines will provide operational expertise and serve as Loft’s first fixed-wing partner in the project.

Once approved, the simulators are expected to be installed at Alaska’s training bases. Reducing travel and offering more regular access could help pilots keep their skills sharp with greater convenience.

🌀 Tom's Take:

Training and simulation are killer use cases for virtual reality, and Alaska Airlines clearly sees the potential. This move signals a push to evolve its simulators and elevate pilot training to a new level.

Source: Alaska Airlines Newsroom