Qantas Passengers a Step Closer to Flying with in flight WiFi

15th Nov 2016

In-flight WiFi will soon no longer be a dream for Qantas flyers following a successful hardware installation on the trial aircraft last week.

However, don?t get all excited just yet, since it will take a few months for Qantas to fully introduce WiFi into its planes. This should happen most likely early in 2017.

During this time Qantas partner ViaSat will run a number of tests both in the air and in the ground to see how the new WiFi system works.

Phil Capps, Head of Customer Experience at Qantas said:

?We are very excited that we are a step closer to introducing our fast and free inflight Wi-Fi. Customers with a keen eye will be able to spot the satellite antenna, which is housed in a streamlined fiberglass radome on top of the fuselage, towards the rear of the aircraft. While we know that customers will want to connect to the Wi-Fi, we really do appreciate their patience while we go through our final testing process. We?re just as excited as them to roll this out.?

He also added:

?Putting Wi-Fi on board the aircraft has been an extraordinary task for the team. It requires a significant amount of testing to ensure that, first and foremost, the safety of the installation meets Qantas? stringent standards, as well as ensuring the system will deliver the level of performance we expect at this stage of the trial.?

Qantas will roll out WiFi across its domestic Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-800 domestic fleet. The hardware should be fitted in all planes in 2018. With it, Qantas passengers will be able to enjoy streaming movies, TV shows, sport games and more,

At the same time pilots and cabin crew will also benefit by having access to more detailed live weather data. This will allow them to make better use of tailwind and decrease flying time as well as reduce turbulence.

Qantas also plans to add WiFi services to its regional and international fleets and is in talks with suppliers which will be able to deliver a service its customers expect.