Alaska Airlines Partners with Loft Dynamics to Launch Boeing 737 VR Simulators

Industry Insights from Next Move Strategy Consulting

As global airlines seek more flexible and cost-effective training solutions, Alaska Airlines has announced a strategic investment in Loft Dynamics and a partnership to develop the world’s first full-motion Boeing 737 virtual reality (VR) simulators. This collaboration leverages Alaska’s renowned training expertise and Loft’s FAA  and EASA-qualified VR technology to usher in a new era of pilot instruction.

A Bold Break from Legacy Training Models

For decades, full-motion simulators have been the cornerstone of commercial pilot training, yet their size, expense, and logistical demands restrict wider deployment. By integrating extended reality (XR) techniques, Loft Dynamics aims to deliver hyper realistic VR simulators that fit within a footprint one-twelfth the size of traditional devices, enabling airlines to expand training capacity with unprecedented efficiency.

“Alaska has a long history of pioneering aviation advancements, from launching the first online ticket sales to becoming the first airline to design and implement satellite-based approaches. Now, by investing in the development of full-motion VR simulators, Alaska is once again moving the industry forward,” said Fabi Riesen, Loft Dynamics founder and CEO. 

Key Capabilities at a Glance:

• Six Degrees of Freedom Full Motion Platform replicates real-world physics, flight control force feedback, and haptic sensations.

• 360° Panoramic 3D View ensures accurate visual cues both inside and outside the cockpit.

• Advanced Full Body Pose Tracking allows real-time visualization of pilots’ hand and body movements in VR.

• Customizable Training Scenarios let pilots practice any maneuver, condition, or emergency safely and realistically.

• Compact Footprint occupies just one twelfth the space of legacy simulators, enhancing accessibility.

• Virtual Demonstration Mode records immersive lessons—visuals, audio, and control inputs—for future playback.

• LoftSPATIAL App for Apple Vision Pro enables pilots to train anytime, anywhere using spatial computing.

Industry Response and Strategic Outlook

Captain Jeff Severns, Managing Director of Flight Operations Training at Alaska Airlines, anticipates that these simulators will transform commercial pilot instruction:

“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.” 

Meanwhile, Pasha Saleh, Director of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines, describes the investment as “a paradigm shift” that will bring critical training closer to the pilot base, reduce travel time, and elevate the quality of pilot education across the industry.

Looking ahead, Loft Dynamics plans to submit the Boeing 737 VR simulator for FAA approval over the coming years, while exploring interim applications that supplement existing FAA-mandated training requirements.

Source: https://www.loftdynamics.com

Prepared By: Next Move Strategy Consulting