Brussels Airlines Becomes Launch Customer for VR Pilot Training Within the Lufthansa Group

Brussels Airlines has announced that they have become the launch customer within the Lufthansa Group for Virtual Reality (VR) pilot training.  The new software was jointly developed by Lufthansa Aviation Training and Airbus.

Brussels Airlines Becomes the Launch Customer Within the Lufthansa Group for Virtual Reality (VR) Pilot Training - Courtesy Brussels Airlines

On Tuesday (July 22, 2025), Brussels Airlines announced that they are now using Virtual Reality (VR) as an integral part of the Airbus A320 Type Rating for pilots, becoming the first Lufthansa Group airline to deploy the technology.  Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) and Airbus collaborated for two years to develop the new software, with the goal of enhancing pilot training.  Between July 2^nd and 4^th, two crews from Brussels Airlines completed a part of their A320 Type Rating using a VR-based solution within an authority-approved training program. As part of a joint project with Lufthansa Group airlines, the ‘Virtual Procedure Trainer’ (VPT) software developed by Airbus, one module of the Airbus Digital Flight Training Solutions, has now been advanced for operational use and embedded into an innovative training concept.

In Wednesday’s announcement, Lufthansa Aviation Training’s Project Morning, Pia Born, said,

“With the VPT we are creating a new training ecosystem: more flexible, more efficient, and sustainable.  We are very pleased that Brussels Airlines is the first to trust in this innovation – and that we were able to shape a piece of the future of training together.”

Also commenting on the new pilot training technology, Brussels Airlines’ Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor (CTKI), Captain Gauthier Lesceu, said,

“VR offers a significantly more realistic and intense training experience.  Our pilots can autodidactically practice procedures early and repeatedly, build muscle memory, and gain situational confidence – an ideal preparation for the simulator phase with increased effectiveness and reduced infrastructure requirements.”

Brussels Airlines’ Nominated Person Crew Training (NPCT), Captain Dave van Buynder, added,

“This innovation highlights our agility and commitment to excellence in training our crews. Special thanks to our partners at LAT for the professional design and execution.”

From July 2-4, Two Crews From Brussels Airlines Completed a Part of Their A320 Type Rating Using a VR-based Solution - Courtesy Brussels Airlines

This was the first time that VR was used in pilot training, not just as a supplement, but as a replacement for sessions on traditional training devices such as the Flat Panel Trainer (FPT), and also took place without supervision by an instructor. The tailored use of VR technology enhances traditional screen-based cockpit training with a fully immersive, realistic 3D environment with interaction and guidance. 

After the successful rollout at Brussels Airlines, the VR training technology will be gradually rolled out to all ten Airbus A320 Family aircraft operators within the Lufthansa Group across seven training locations.  Initially, the Virtual Procedure Trainer will be used to train normal standard operating procedures.  At the same time, the system will continuously be optimized and developed further to support nonstandard procedures and additional aircraft types such as the A330 and A350.  In the future, Lufthansa Aviation Training will adapt the technology for the external training market.  Simultaneously, internal organizational structures and operational processes will be further professionalized to establish VR as a permanent element of modern pilot training.

Source: Brussels Airlines