I Used The Apple Vision Pro On A Flight To Costa Rica — And It Was Chaotic

When Apple launched its Vision Pro, all of the tech world started talking about it. The Vision Pro was being marketed as something that would give users experiences never seen before in augmented reality. I just had to see for myself how this new piece of technology worked on my recent flight to Costa Rica. What should have been a smooth blend of technology and travel turned into an eye-opening, bewilderingly chaotic adventure.

Introducing the Vision Pro.
Unbeknownst to many, Apple Vision Pro is a state-of-the-art AR headset developed for matching digital content with the real world. Sleekly designed with powerful hardware, this device has the potential to revolutionize how we work with our surroundings. It is the features that have been put into the Vision Pro, such as ultra-high resolution displays, spatial audio, and an array of sensors to track your movements and environment, which will make it special. That was, in effect, to be a revolutionary step up from ordinary headsets, blending work and play into one device.

Boarding and First Impressions
As I boarded the plane, the Vision Pro was safely ensconced in its travel case, making it easy to stow. After settling into my seat, I unwrapped the device with much eagerness and prepared to dive into its various functionalities. My first challenge, though, would be the airplane environment. Indeed, with the cramped seating and limited space, the Vision Pro’s imposing headset felt awkward. Though it was lighter than expected, one could feel it—in particular, seeking comfort in one’s positioning.

Setting up Vision Pro wasn’t a problem at all. Apple’s intuitive interface guides you through calibration and changes to the settings. I was impressed by how clear the display was as I scrolled through apps and content. Initial signs of chaos started to ensue, however, just as I tried to use the device during takeoff. The acceleration was pretty heavy, and even a little turbulence managed to throw a wrench in my plans of keeping the headset steady. I was also continually fiddling with it for a clear view—far from ideal for a smooth start.

The In-Flight Experience
After the plane leveled out at cruising altitude, I hunkered down and tried to get into the Vision Pro’s AR features. I had plans to have some fun with the headset during this flight and maybe do some work. I ran a couple of apps, starting with a travel simulation game that promised to whisk me off to various exotic locations. Although the graphics were gorgeous, this was somewhat ruined by limited space and awkward positioning. Already competing for space was the in-flight entertainment system, while the spatial needs of the Vision Pro clashed with the dense seating layout.

I turned to the Vision Pro’s productivity tools and did some writing. While impressive in its ability to create a virtual workspace, it was hard to play with the virtual keyboard and screens because the space was so confined. I kept bumping into my armrest and my tray table. An AR interface built for spacious environments can’t easily learn to share space like one might in the cabin of an airplane.

Social and Environmental Interactions
One of the selling points of the Vision Pro is its ability to blend digital content with real-world surroundings, which was quite interesting with respect to the airplane. I moved around in the aircraft, seeing if it could project digital information onto the physical environment and access flight data. But the constant motion of the plane and the proximity of other passengers created a confused backdrop that was hard for the headset to accurately decipher.

Another challenge was the social aspect: the design of the Vision Pro includes transparent lenses, allowing one to really be very aware of what is going on around. While that in theory makes much sense, it was less useful within the dimly lit cabin. Overhead light glare and occasional turbulence meant it was hard to see both virtual and physical worlds clearly. Those around me in the nearby seats were looking at it with interest, but all the adjusting and fumbling makes it sort of a circus.

Battery Life and Connectivity
One of the major issues that always arises in the case of a high-tech device like the Vision Pro is its battery life. From my own judgment, throughout the flight I had to deal really carefully with the power of the headset. Apple claims several hours of use on a single charge, but the constant interaction and adjustments during the flight took a toll on the battery. I found myself rushing to save power and balance between using the headset and conserving energy.

Connectivity was another partial issue. Many of the features of the Vision Pro required a stable Internet connection. In-flight Wi-Fi, after all, had improved in the last couple of years but was still far from perfect. That eroded the possibility of my accessing cloud content and applications. With the periodic lost connections, there were interruptions and frustrations added to the overall chaotic experience.

Arrival and Reflection
Finally arriving in Costa Rica, I was looking forward to trying out the Vision Pro in an environment much more suitable for its features. The sprawling hotel room and its picture-perfect surroundings were the perfect scene for the features of the headset. From the pebble-sized, claustrophobic cabin of the airplane, moving to the expansive space of the hotel room was going from black to white. The immersion of the Vision Pro really shined when it was given room to breathe.

Now, against the background of this experience, any reasonable person can realize that the Vision Pro is a game-changing device with huge potential. However, testing it inside an airplane cabin revealed some of the limitations. Of course, this is young technology, and putting these things into travel experiences requires some tweaking. Clearly, Vision Pro is a leap forward in AR, but the current iteration maybe not suitable for every setting, especially those that have issues with space and connectivity.

While it gives a glimpse of what can be realized in the future with augmented reality, it was not until using this device on a flight to Costa Rica that the full extent of its promise and its current limitations became apparent. Further refinements to the technology by future generations will address these concerns, making the Vision Pro that much more compelling for travelers and tech enthusiasts alike. But for now, it’s an exciting glimpse of what’s to come, even if the journey to get there is a bit chaotic.