26 June 2025

NTT DATA Revolutionizes LATAM Airlines' Cabin Crew Training with High-Impact Immersive Experiences in Latin America

The airline company has implemented training programs, leveraging emerging technologies to significantly reduce long-term training duration and costs, increase the approval rates for courses, and enhance the cabin crew experience

NTT DATA, through its Syntphony Immersive Experiences platform, developed and deployed virtual reality (VR) immersive technologies to optimize cabin crew training for LATAM Airlines, Latin America's leading airline group known for its commitment to operational excellence and safety.

To enhance the effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and engagement of training programs—and to boost approval rates for initial courses—LATAM has adopted immersive experiences that replicate real operational scenarios. These include both routine and emergency situations, such as evacuations and onboard fires, with a focus on incidents involving ovens, galleys, restrooms, and lithium batteries within passenger cabins.

During the implementation phase, both organizations worked in close collaboration to ensure that every procedure, visual element, and detail authentically mirrored real cabin environments. A highly accurate 3D model of the Airbus A320Neo—featuring its updated cabin layout—was developed to replicate all relevant user interactions required for training.

"We’re proud to have supported LATAM Airlines in transforming their training processes and making a meaningful impact on their employees," said David Jambrina, Product Manager at NTT DATA.

To measure the effectiveness of each procedure, metric dashboards were implemented, allowing for data-driven adjustments to training content and reinforcement of key areas to uphold the highest quality standards. As a result, LATAM significantly improved training quality and increased course approval rates. The solution also expanded training capacity—where previously each session was conducted individually, now over 30 users can participate simultaneously. Additionally, the average time to complete eight to ten exercises dropped dramatically from four hours to just 25 minutes, leading to higher participation and greater engagement in the training process.

These improvements also led to substantial long-term cost savings compared to traditional training methods—primarily by eliminating the need to ground aircraft for practice sessions.

"We measured the approval rate of our first VR-based training course and achieved a 100% success rate compared to traditional methods," said Ignacio Echeverría, Director of Talent and Organizational Development at LATAM, and Giselle Perey, Deputy Manager of Onboard Service Training at LATAM. "Following the initial training sessions in Chile, we are now evaluating the expansion of this approach to other subsidiaries, incorporating additional scenarios and aircraft fleets," they added.

"Excellence in team training makes all the difference," said Jorge Yaconis, Industry Director – Aviation at NTT DATA. "Together with LATAM Airlines, we are leveraging virtual reality to transform training—delivering greater effectiveness and measurable results."

Through this innovative initiative, LATAM Airlines—together with NTT DATA—strengthens its leadership in aviation innovation by investing in emerging technologies that directly enhance training quality and operational safety.

For more information, we invite you to read the full case study here.