Qantas confirms inflight wi-fi, boosts Brisbane-Christchurch route

Qantas has confirmed an NBR print edition report last week that Australian domestic passengers will get inflight wi-fi from next year.

It is also looking at expanding the service to its regional and international networks, including New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Qantas is boosting its Brisbane-Christchurch route to a permanent three-times-a-week service from June 18. A fourth service will be offered during school holidays.

The inflight wi-fi is made possible by a deal with global broadband services provider ViaSat, which will tap into Australia’s new satellite-based high-speed broadband network, nbn.

It will be up to 10 times faster than conventional on-board wi-fi, giving passengers the ability to stream movies, TV shows, the latest news bulletins and live sports on domestic flights via the internet.

In-flight trials are expected to begin with a single retro-fitted Qantas Boeing 737 aircraft in late 2016. Installation in Qantas Domestic’s fleet of A330s and B737s will from early 2017.

ViaSat will provide Qantas with connectivity between the aircraft and the high capacity KA-band satellite and ground stations, which will then provide a link to the internet.

ViaSat equipment is already installed in 500 US commercial aircraft on 1500 flights daily, with as many as 148 simultaneous active devices in use.

Record-breaking summer
Christchurch Airport has welcomed the new Brisbane service, which previously operated seasonally during the recent Christmas school holiday period.

The airport’s chief commercial officer (aeronautical) Justin Watson this represents a more than four-fold increase in seat capacity and is in response to heavy demand.].

“the airport is enjoying a record-breaking summer, with its busiest day ever scheduled within the next fortnight,” Mr Watson says. 

A 16% increase in passenger numbers, as a result of increased and new services from existing and new airline partners, is bringing about 50,000 more visitors and $150 million in business to the South Island, he says.

The route will be operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft and allows travellers on the airline’s morning Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo Narita services into Brisbane to connect on to Christchurch.

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