I know this because, as I settled into a Qantas business-class flight to Los Angeles, the effervescent Janek Picheta, Qantas customer service supervisor – technology and innovation, told me so, handing me an oversized goggle/headset to manoeuvre onto my head.

He'd clicked the sleek Samsung Gear VR device onto the back of the contraption and, after several adjustments ("it still looks really blurry" was threatening to become a mantra), I was set.

There was a fair amount to absorb ahead of my 360 degree interactive experience.

I could visit cities, watch Cirque de Soleil, preview movies or head into space and perch on the moon.

Thankfully, not being particularly tech savvy, the instructions were reasonably basic and easy to grasp.

There's a touch pad on the left side of the goggles that is super sensitive. You use the pad to scroll across the options menu, then tap it to make a selection. There's even a so-called back button, which allows you to rewind.

On Janek's recommendation, my first stop was Iceland.

Within seconds, I was thrashing about in my seat, catching stunning views and exquisite natural beauty.

I must have been a tremendous source of merriment for nearby passengers, as I swivelled my head to the left and to the right.

I soon realised that the more I stretched, the more I saw. Oh my goodness! Horses were cantering beneath me as I hovered above them in a chopper.

If I tipped my head right back, I could see the helicopter blades rotating. The fast-flowing stream was mesmerising. Embarrassingly, in order to watch the water below, I had to double over and peer between my legs.

I noticed the chopper's shadow in the distance, on the stunning green hillside. The hovering sensation was initially a little unsettling before I relaxed into the experience.

VIDEO: Testing out the Samsung Gear VR

 

After my brief sojourn to Iceland's picturesque countryside, I ran away with the circus. One tap on the touch pad and I entered the exceptional world of Cirque de Soleil. I witnessed the aerialists performing while I "sat on stage". To my left, a showman seemed to be chatting to me, while a gaggle directly to my right sent cheesy smiles my way, keeping me company and applauding while the mesmerising circus feats continued.

Then it was time to head to the moon and back via "innerspace". It was eerie and dark and impactful. I felt like I was floating.

Other titles that popped up on the menu included Galaxy 11, Pacific Rim Jaeger Pilot, Samsung 360 tours, Cityscapes and Avengers Virtual Reality.

Janek's enthusiasm for the contraption was infectious. "Even I was sceptical at first but it's incredible that we have this sort of technology. It's going to be great on long flights."

The plane's constant, subtle movement in flight enhanced the sensation. I can only imagine how wild it would be to hit turbulence during a virtual-reality session.

There are warnings that pop up ahead of selecting/clicking certain experiences. "This is a 360-degree stereoscopic video and a very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns."

Another recommendation is to remain seated and not to have any sharp objects nearby. Wise advice.

Qantas is planning to hand out the devices in a three-month trial from mid March to select first and business-class passengers keen to experience virtual reality on a plane.

Qantas group executive – brand, marketing and corporate affairs Olivia Wirth says from an in-flight entertainment perspective it's an industry first and the technology is a new way to connect with customers.

There are plans to develop and produce live-action content with production company Jaunt, while Tourism NT is already on board to partner with the airline in content creation and develop a 3D experience from Kakadu National Park.

Other options on offer that caught my eye were visiting Venice on a gondola, diving underwater, landing a Qantas A380, touring the Qantas first-class lounge in Los Angeles, going on safari (that lion looked really close) or splashing around in a raging torrent. There are plans to screen entire movies in the future.

A final word of warning to all flight attendants. It may become an occupational hazard dodging the flailing arms and legs of enthusiastic passengers lapping up a virtual-reality experience.

The writer travelled to Los Angeles courtesy of Qantas.