Qantas starts international wifi

[jase05]

The first QF aircraft scheduled to be fitted with fast and free international Wifi should have entered service by now (A332). Any idea on what the registration of this aircraft is?

Thought it was pushed back to end of the year

 

[elanshin]

The first QF aircraft scheduled to be fitted with fast and free international Wifi should have entered service by now (A332). Any idea on what the registration of this aircraft is?

Are you talking about the domestic ones? They're already flying and ive used it more than once to SIN (whilst overland Australia).

Any proper Int'l can't function. Viasat 3 APAC satellite is still on earth last I checked. EMEA (the next satellite) is unknown delays and Americas differed the major setback.

 

[SYD]

Thought it was pushed back to end of the year

Strange, there was a random(?) mention of this on Ch 7 news tonight. I don’t recall seeing a recent presser update from QF so maybe Ch 7 is reading this?

 

[serfty]

There's been something in the news today. Not sure if it a rehash of prior stuff:

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/gb/en/agency-news/agency-news-february-24/qantas-group-expands-investment-in-customers.html#:~:text=Acceleration%20of%20international%20Wi%2DFi,end%20of%20calendar%20year%202024.

Acceleration of international Wi-Fi rollout​

Qantas will retrofit its existing fleet of international aircraft with fast and free Wi-Fi, with the service due to be progressively switched on from the end of calendar year 2024.
The expansion of Wi-Fi to the airline’s international fleet was deferred until global satellite technology was able to deliver a similar quality connection that Qantas customers have when travelling domestically. The speed and reliability of Qantas’ domestic Wi-Fi service has driven average take-up rates of 75 per cent, with some routes showing up to 100 per cent uptake.
Qantas will offer ‘fast and free’ international Wi-Fi with enough bandwidth for every passenger to enjoy a fast and consistent connection.
The service will tap into the latest technology from global broadband services provider, Viasat, giving customers on international flights the ability to stream movies, TV shows, the latest news bulletins and live sports.
Qantas’ A330, B787 and A380 fleets will progressively be retrofitted to enable connection to Viasat’s expanding next-generation satellite network.
The A330-200LR installation program will be built into the existing heavy maintenance schedule starting in March 2024. Installation on all eight of these aircraft is expected to be complete by the end of this calendar year, coinciding with the launch of a new satellite covering South East Asia. Installation programs for the B787, A380 and A330-300s will commence from 2025.
New aircraft currently on order, including A350 and B787 fleets, will be Wi-Fi capable when delivered.
Jetstar will introduce onboard Wi-Fi on its international widebody fleet from 2026, as part of its Boeing 787 cabin refresh.

 

[SYD]

There's been something in the news today. Not sure if it a rehash of prior stuff:

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/gb/en/agency-news/agency-news-february-24/qantas-group-expands-investment-in-customers.html#:~:text=Acceleration%20of%20international%20Wi%2DFi,end%20of%20calendar%20year%202024.

Sounds like it.

 

[elanshin]

Sounds like it.

I imagine this is the a330 refurbishment program that will see some of the fleet get new Y seats.

But as far as the internet actually being turned on, that would depend on when Viasat-3 APAC goes up.

 

[cpatters]

Looks like EBN is the first aircraft to have the Wi-Fi dome installed as the aircraft is currently out of the hanger in Brisbane after undergoing heavy maintenance.

 

[RSVKanga]

Looks like EBN is the first aircraft to have the Wi-Fi dome installed as the aircraft is currently out of the hanger in Brisbane after undergoing heavy maintenance.

EBN scheduled to operate QF51 BNE-SIN today.

So today’s QF51 service seems to be the first QF international flight to be equipped with fast free and unlimited wifi for the entire duration of the flight.

 

[encryptededdy]

EBN scheduled to operate QF51 BNE-SIN today.

So today’s QF51 service seems to be the first QF international flight to be equipped with fast free and unlimited wifi for the entire duration of the flight.

Unlikely if it's Viasat, given they haven't launched their satellite yet.

 

[SYD]

Some narrative here…

International Qantas flights get fast, free WiFi

The international fleet is getting an early upgrade for worldwide Internet coverage.

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[jase05]

EBN scheduled to operate QF51 BNE-SIN today.

So today’s QF51 service seems to be the first QF international flight to be equipped with fast free and unlimited wifi for the entire duration of the flight.

My understanding was that even though it might be fitted they aren’t actually turning on the wifi until the end of the year

 

[moa999]

that would depend on when Viasat-3 APAC goes up.

For the whole route.. yes.

And ViaSat3.3 still doesn't have a launch contract.
However Imarsat (that ViaSat purchased in 2023) does have global Ka Band coverage via Inmarsat 5/6/ GlobalXpress , albeit I don't think it's yet clear how they will work commercially as one entity.
(Qatar and Emirates uses GlobalXpress)

But the NBNs SkyMuster satellite will give it good connection over the initial part of the journey.

 

[SYD]

But the NBNs SkyMuster satellite will give it good connection over the initial part of the journey.

Which is the gist of the ET article - until the full capability rolls out.

 

[moa999]

Also hadn't noticed the following comments in ViaSats Q3 release... Their Q4 results is out in a few days - 21 May US time.

On the already launched US satellite.

The ViaSat-3 F1 satellite continues to undergo testing of the payload and affected antenna. Based on the results of
this testing to date we continue to expect to obtain sufficient bandwidth and coverage flexibility, combined with
our existing and planned fleet, and partner space resources, to support our growing global mobility business. We
currently anticipate placing the satellite into commercial service with our first mobility flights enabled next quarter,
Q1 FY2025.

On the European satellite.

During the quarter our antenna supplier completed its root cause investigation of the ViaSat-3 F1 antenna deployment
anomaly. Based on its findings and recommendations, we are implementing several corrective actions on the ViaSat-3
F2 antenna. We expect to complete those actions as well as extensive testing and spacecraft integration by early
calendar 2025 with launch expected shortly thereafter.

And then on the Asia satellite - still no launch provider (but rumoured to be SpaceX)

The scheduled launch of ViaSat-3 F3 remains on track for
late in the fourth quarter of calendar 2024. The F3 satellite has a different antenna design by a different supplier,
and its schedule is not affected by the ViaSat-3 F1 anomaly.

 

[RooFlyer]

My understanding was that even though it might be fitted they aren’t actually turning on the wifi until the end of the year

Now next year - predictable, and I did predict it and also that you-know-who would get there first between the two.

Tech issue delaying long-awaited rollout of Wi-Fi on Qantas international flights (probably paywalled)

Qantas passengers will have to wait a bit longer for the long-awaited rollout of high speed Wi-Fi on international flights, with connection now expected to happen next year.

Although the airline has had free high-speed Wi-Fi on its domestic fleet for more than seven years, it’s become one of the last premium carriers to offer the service on international flights.

Qantas has previously defended the delay, saying it wanted to be sure of a similar quality connection to that provided on domestic flights before rolling out the technology.

However, other airlines, including Qatar Airways, are already offering internet speeds in-flight capable of supporting video calls and streaming services, at no extra cost to passengers.

Probably end of January, the article goes on to say, in medium haul A330-200s.

Also OMaaT

Qantas Fast & Free Viasat Wi-Fi On International Flights: Delayed

Qantas is introducing fast & free Viasat Wi-Fi throughout its long haul fleet, including on A330s, A350s, A380s, and 787s.

onemileatatime.com

 

[moa999]

Launch of the remaining VS3 satellites also now mid-late 2025 and late 2025 for F3 Asia, and F2 Europe per Viasats Q2 2025 Quarterly statement.

 

[justinbrett]

I'm glad QF is holding out for the viasat tech which will be much more suitable on long haul flights with a bulk of pax wanting to stream media.