Internet on A380

[FlashKiwi]

I had the pleasure of trailing inflight internet connectivity as part of a MEL-LHR FASA. I was QF9 MEL- SIN (VH-OQJ) and given a free login. Fine for email and less graphic websites but choked loading AFF. I could manage Facebook updates and IM ok. Tried Skype but didn't work (maybe port issue but sure it would have been too slow anyway). The documentation states that it does not work over Indonesia or India. As Garuda has launched inflight internet I would suspect that this is a geo-political issues as opposed to a technical issues. (The same as my SPOT supposed not be able to work in India but works fine). I changed to QF1 SIN- LHR (VH-OQB) (more SC's ) but no internet on board. Apparently only several A380's have the equipment working. I note that the same WIFI hotspot was available but no connection.

I believe the cost is $29 for 20mb (I may be wrong here) and they have a meter that pops up in your browser. I think those in F and J will have the first 20mb or so complimentary (but not 100% sure - the staff did not seem to know). Make sure you turn of all your syncing tools (Dropbox, Gdrive etc) as I came close to exceeding that in 30 min. I would probably pay that to check and send emails. You wouldn't want to try streaming anything......

I think it is a useful enhancement and, other things being even would encourage me to stay with QF on long haul international.

Cheers

FlashKiwi

 

[Mal]

Yeah it was on my flight MEL-SIN-LHR (QF9) as well. The pricing I saw in Y during the flight is below. (note that mobile devices are supposed to have different plans)




The use of VOIP is not allowed, so I presume that Skype ports/addresses are blocked.

Wasn't really that interested due to the pricing, but can see the benefit for some. Biggest issue is that on many laptops etc it is very difficult for the average user to shut down data hungry apps that automatically run as well as control what large images etc are downloaded from websites/emails. The data limits do need to be increased before it becomes viable.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - given low data allowances this would pretty much mean the only thing I could do in flight was work emails... Not sure I see that as a benefit...

 

[serfty]

Hmm - given low data allowances this would pretty much mean the only thing I could do in flight was work emails... Not sure I see that as a benefit...

The other issue is speed - as a QF93 First guest (complimentary Internet) on Anzac day it took about 8 minutes to load the AFL web site to find out the Pies had won by a point ...

Simple work emails fine, but I suggest one would have to be pretty diligent/patient to use 35 Mb of data.

More here: (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-long-haul-flights-aust-38836.html#post599896)

I wouldn't worry too much.

80 Mbyte for $60 on last nights speeds represents about 6 hours browsing. It got there in the end,but at one stage I fell asleep while waiting for a response.

 

[mkentwell]

Please stop this and the inflight phones - flights are my escape form the constant connection todays society demands... the excuse "Sorry, was in the air" will now fall into the same troglodite cavern as "Can you telex this please"... Not Happy Jan!

Just think of the noise of nails clacking on screens and some over-blown tosser buying millions of god-knows what will bellow through the once quiet refuge of our little metal tubes.... Sleep and reading of novels and the sometime reflective and non-connected musing over and preparing answers to emails will be forever a memory.

 

[Fruitcake]

Just think of the noise of nails clacking on screens and some over-blown tosser buying millions of god-knows what will bellow through the once quiet refuge of our little metal tubes.... Sleep and reading of novels and the sometime reflective and non-connected musing over and preparing answers to emails will be forever a memory.

The vast majority of consumer devices day use capacitive touchscreens, where use of a fingernail is ineffective.

However, nearly all fixed IFE systems onboard aircraft use resistive touchscreens - so that's where the fingernail-clacking you dread is coming from .

 

[ozmille]

Please stop this and the inflight phones - flights are my escape form the constant connection todays society demands... the excuse "Sorry, was in the air" will now fall into the same troglodite cavern as "Can you telex this please"... Not Happy Jan!

Just think of the noise of nails clacking on screens and some over-blown tosser buying millions of god-knows what will bellow through the once quiet refuge of our little metal tubes.... Sleep and reading of novels and the sometime reflective and non-connected musing over and preparing answers to emails will be forever a memory.

I remember one flight on AF in J from CDG to MEX where the guy behind me was on the phone for about an hour and a half, would have been interesting to see his CC bill after that :shock:

 

[Flying mermaid]

Please stop this and the inflight phones - flights are my escape form the constant connection todays society demands... the excuse "Sorry, was in the air" will now fall into the same troglodite cavern as "Can you telex this please"... Not Happy Jan!

Just think of the noise of nails clacking on screens and some over-blown tosser buying millions of god-knows what will bellow through the once quiet refuge of our little metal tubes.... Sleep and reading of novels and the sometime reflective and non-connected musing over and preparing answers to emails will be forever a memory.

Totally agree - was offered a free trial and turned it down. I love the thought of being on a plane and totally disconnected from the real world! It is bad enough being in the lounges and having people talk at the top of the voices on their mobiles....

 

[MrJetset]

Totally agree - was offered a free trial and turned it down. I love the thought of being on a plane and totally disconnected from the real world! It is bad enough being in the lounges and having people talk at the top of the voices on their mobiles....

Used in flight wifi on AA and QF. What's the point after updated one's status on facebook?

 

[BensAdventures]

Totally agree - was offered a free trial and turned it down. I love the thought of being on a plane and totally disconnected from the real world! It is bad enough being in the lounges and having people talk at the top of the voices on their mobiles....

This has the prospect of killing the flying experience for me! I'm always connected, if it's not my laptop, it's my iPad, or it's my phone, so having 8+ hours of disconnection is a joy. The response "Sorry I'm about to board a plane I'll get back to you in a day or so..." just won't work!

Maybe they can quicken the speeds, and block VOIP and "work" emails... then I could do anything I want and not have my boss expecting me to work!