Helping people understand and overcome the fear of flying is the objective of “El Cubo de Otto”, a new original podcast with which Iberia takes an innovative and creative approach to one of the most common fears among the population. The objective of this production created together with El Extraordinario is to help users more fully enjoy the experience of flying and traveling.

“El Cubo de Otto” combines popularization, fiction and real testimonies to create a creative sound experience, and what’s more, Iberia presents the podcast as “an artistic look at the fear of flyingThus, it moves away from traditional approaches and opts for a transformative narrative that opens opportunities for learning, reflection and personal growth.

The podcast, available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Ivoox, Amazon Music, YouTube, Podimo and the El Extraordinario website, is made up of 19 chapters, divided into two parts. Thus, the first ten make up a docufiction that tells the story of Gael, a playwright who has to create a play about the fear of flying; while the remaining nine installments are a sound fiction that brings listeners closer to Lucía and Augusto, a couple who live on opposite continents and who must overcome their fear of flying to be together.

As stated in a statement, the podcast reinforces Iberia’s commitment to exploring new formats that allow it to connect emotionally with its customers, as well as to generate cultural content that adds value and improves the travel experience beyond the flight itself. What’s more, the company points out that it is one of its most ambitious initiatives in the field of sound content and cultural branded content.

“This podcast reflects our desire to explore new narrative formats that, in addition to entertaining, add value and accompany our customers beyond the flight experience.“; commented Sonia Sánchez, Director of Communication, Institutional Relations and Social Impact of Iberia. “We also want people with fear to overcome it, enjoy the trip and explore new destinations.”.

Here you can listen to the sound trailer for “Otto’s Cube”:

“Otto’s Cube,” named after engineer Otto Lilienthal, considered a pioneer of aviation, builds on Iberia’s purpose of connecting people and its continued efforts to help people overcome the fear of flying. Years ago, the airline had an educational program that addressed the problem and that included a flight between Madrid and Barcelona, ​​and more recently it has promoted content in various formats to help manage fear.

The podcast, which comes from the company’s communications team, makes Iberia’s knowledge more accessible to accompany all those who have a phobia or experience insecurities when it comes to flying. However, from Iberia they assure that by having contributions from psychologists and anthropologists, “Otto’s Cube” is applicable to all types of fears and transcends other emotions.

“The podcast does not seek to be an instrument to help you fly, but rather a tool to understand fear“, says Ángel Rubio, Iberia’s External Communication Manager, in statements to reason.Why. “‘Otto’s Cube’ has to do with achieving happiness, with not postponing those plans or canceling those trips that, out of fear, prevent you from enjoying loved ones or discovering new places.”.

The stories of “Otto’s Cube”

The podcast has been produced by El Extraordinario and is directed by Marcus H., Creative Director and Co-Founder of the production company, and tells two complementary stories to explore the fear of flying, narrated by actor Mariano Venancio.

Gael’s challenge

The first part follows Gael who, to write the play, begins an investigation that will lead him to talk with experts in psychology, aviation and emotional well-being. Thus, the psychologist and popularizer Luis Muiño participates; the aeronautical psychologist Pilar Moreno; meditation teacher Ramiro Calle; the Airbus test pilot, Fernando Alonso; the purser Nuria Nieto and the commander Rafa San Julián; or the engineering team at the Iberia Maintenance Center in La Muñoza.

Here you can listen to the first episode of the first part:

A love story crossed by fear

The second part presents Lucía and Augusto, played by Rocío León and Martín Slipack, a couple who met through the internet. She lives in Madrid and he in Buenos Aires, and although they see a future in their relationship, they encounter the barrier that they both feel a paralyzing fear of flying. Fiction conveys the emotional journey they embark on to face their own limits.
It features the voices of actors Jorge Machín and Silvia Espigado.

Here you can listen to the first episode of the second part:

Along with the podcast, which will soon be available on the in-flight entertainment system of Iberia aircraft, the company will launch an application powered by artificial intelligence that will allow users to chat with a pilot. The tool will answer questions about the flight process and also offer advice on the fear of flying.

All of this serves to complement Iberia’s marketing and communication strategy. “As a brand we are called to explore every possibility that can add and provide value. With this podcast we encourage people to discover, learn and be entertained“, Ángel Rubio explains to us. “We are committed to audio, which is a format highly integrated into the travel experience and expanded the sound universe and the presence of Iberia content accompanying listeners and travelers”.