Qantas was an early entrant into the world of long-haul inflight internet. The company offered him connectivity on its A380 fleet more than a decade ago, but discontinued the service after trials, citing low reception rates and relatively poor network performance. Now, the company is ready to try again, with plans to enable fast and free Wi-Fi on international aircraft from the end of 2024.
We understand that staying connected is important for our international customers, and we’re intentionally making sure that the same high-speed connections you use domestically are available overseas. I’ve been waiting.
– Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO
put the right satellite into operation
The airline says the service provides “sufficient bandwidth for all passengers to enjoy fast and stable connections.” This includes the ability to stream content onboard, from movies to live sports.
Qantas will begin installing the necessary hardware on its A330-200LR aircraft next month as part of a scheduled maintenance cycle. However, it won’t launch until Viasat launches his ViaSat-3 F3 satellite, which will provide the satellite coverage and capacity needed to service the airline’s routes from Australia.
Installation on other long-range aircraft (787, A380, A330-300) is scheduled to begin in 2025. Qantas also said that future A350 and 787 deliveries will arrive with the system onboard and ready to serve passengers.
The company also shared that its Jetstar operations will be introducing Wi-Fi to its 787 fleet. That work is scheduled to begin in 2026.
With the retirement of the 717 and the arrival of the A220, which also has an in-flight internet solution, the majority of Qantas’ aircraft should be online and free to passengers by the end of next year.
“Fast and free” Wi-Fi is the key to passenger satisfaction
Qantas believes that the reliable, high-speed service it provides free to passengers on domestic flights is a key element of the passenger experience. The company says that the average load factor on today’s well-equipped domestic flights is 75%, and on some routes it regularly reaches 100%. These numbers are similar to those of other airlines that offer fast and free Wi-Fi service on board. And while several other airlines have made messaging-level services free, it’s unclear whether that alone will provide the dopamine hit passengers really want.
For airlines that believe they can create value by having passengers use their services, it’s important to consider a budget that allows them to provide the service without incurring additional costs on board. The fact that a major competitor across the Tasman Sea also offers a free service probably influenced the decision-making process.
Expanding free Wi-Fi further around the world:
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