VA [Inflight] Wi-Fi

[Pleb Status]

The following aircraft also have the Wifi installed:

VH-YFP
VH-YIL
VH-YIO
VH-YIR
VH-YIS
VH-YIU
VH-YIV
VH-YIY

There's a few aircraft you have mentioned that according to the Fleet Operation Config List that I have, only dated only a week ago, do not actually have the Wifi yet. Perhaps they're actually a little slow in updating the document.

I note that the late VH-YI* aircraft appear to operate mainly on the NZ, Pacific and DPS routes which must not be operating with WiFi enabled at the moment (or at least WiFi showing on the Flight Status pages).

 

[AviatorInsight]

I note that the late VH-YI* aircraft appear to operate mainly on the NZ, Pacific and DPS routes which must not be operating with WiFi enabled at the moment (or at least WiFi showing on the Flight Status pages).

Correct. While VH registered, they belong to the international arm of the operation so are exclusively used on the NZ, Pacific and DPS Flights as you alluded to.

 

[henrus]

Does Anyone with a bit more info know exactly which satellite provide the WiFi service?

The Optus D1 typically provides Internet services however it doesn't have coverage across the Tasman which makes me think VA might be using the Optus C1. Even then the C1 still doesn't have coverage outside AU,NZ and PNG so all other flights won't have Wi-Fi provided by Optus at least.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Does Anyone with a bit more info know exactly which satellite provide the WiFi service

From Virgin Australia offers Wi-Fi on Australia-Los Angeles service - Australian Aviation:

Virgin Australia has partnered with Gogo, using the 2Ku dual-antenna technology (one for the forward link and one for the return link) for its inflight connectivity, which uses Optus satellites for domestic and trans-Tasman services and Intelsat and SES for its other international flights.

 

[futaris]

Weird that the planes to/from DPS seem to be Wi-Fi capable, but aren't listed on the Virgin Australia Flight Status pages or Google Flights.

 

[henrus]

I flew yesterday on VH-YIO from Brisbane to Christchurch and can confirm Wi-Fi is working.

It was a pleasant surprise as the flight status page didn't display a wifi symbol and I wasn't quite sure if the service was enabled on trans Tasman flights yet. The service was enabled and working as soon as I boarded however as I wanted to get some stuff done on my laptop I waited until after takeoff before going online. Announcements were made about the Wifi Entertainment and Wifi Internet along with an information card in the seat pocket.

Currently, a full flight pass costs AU$13.99 (the only other pack was a 1 hr pass for $7 and no free access) across the Tasman and can only be used on one device at a time however by creating an account and signing in before purchasing the pack I was able to switch to my phone and switch back to the laptop by signing out and in again. Coverage maps indicated that all flights to from NZ along with DPS would be covered.

Walking around the plane I estimate around 5-10 people were using the wifi (many more were using the free boardconnect video streaming) and speed tests came in around 1mpbs download and 1mbps upload with pings around 600ms. Low Quality youtube (144/240p streams and videos) including the ABC News live stream worked without buffering as did a low quality Optus Sport stream. The IP address is still the same at the Optus teleport in Sydney and a work Cisco VPN and Dropbox worked fine (but took some time for a 2mb file upload).

Overall very impressed. In the past year, I've taken many flights across the Tasman on QF, NZ and VA and prior to yesterday I seemed to think QF was best due to the in-seat power but now VA takes the cake with reasonable Wi-Fi that worked for the entire flight.

 

[moa999]

So it looks like QFs WiFi is faster but more limited in coverage (to Aus mainland only)

So VA for the win for TT, and obviously to US
(Which QF will only get in 2020 when ViaSat launches new Sat)

 

[henrus]

So VA for the win for TT, and obviously to US

They really should start promoting the fact that TT flights have WiFi. I didn't even know it was switched on and it was only until onboard when they really announce it.

During booking or even a few days out (like the domestic flights) would be great for business travelers who might just pick VA over another option because of the wifi.

 

[Pleb Status]

On VH-YFI at the moment. First time I have ever used in flight internet on any airline.

Speedtest showed about 6-7 Mbps on the free service. Ping at 750ms. Adequate for general web surfing once the initial connection is made.

Edit: Despite all the hate, I could stream Optus Sport without too much interruption. Also, I note that the service is still active all the way to the terminal.

 

[henrus]

For those interested... I used VA Wifi from CHC - BNE for the 2nd time today (used it a few months ago on BNE-CHC).

Unlike the first flight, coverage wasn't available on the ground so it didn't start working until just after take off.

Plans were the same $6.99 for 1 hour and $12.99 for the full 3h 40 minute flight.



Speedtest.net kept timing out on the upload tests however the pings were around 500-700ms (standard for satellite) and downloads were around 0.4-0.5mbps.

I also did 3 tests (at different times of the flight) on fast.com and got 340kbps, 400kbps and 350kbps.

YouTube 144p live streams (like ABC News Live) didn't work (way too much buffering) however 144p standard videos worked fine. Surprisingly I was able to watch Channel 7 live with no buffering (albeit low quality) via their 7plus website. Throughout the entire flight, I was able to download around 300mb of data (video streaming, browsing etc) which isn't that bad especially given the pathetic speed tests.

This time I was able to also get some screenshots of the coverage map which shows that all VA Trans Tasman, Bali, Port Vila, Port Moresby, Honiara and Nadi are 100% within the coverage area.

It's hard to tell but I'd say that Samoa, Tonga, and Rarotonga flights might just be out of the coverage area (but that's just based on my view of the route map and wifi coverage map below)

VA Route Map


VA Wifi Coverage

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Got lucky with Wi-Fi on all 3 of my domestic flights this weekend on VH-YFS and VH-YFG (twice)!

On VH-YFG though, there was a weird issue where the portal had incorrect links to airbornesecure.gogoinflight.com, which wasn't the actual hostname — had to manually edit the URL to airborne.gogoinflight.com in order to activate Wi-Fi, after which it worked fine.

Limited to about 1mbps down on the free tier, it was enough for messaging and sharing screenshots of Speedtest results with friends (with a little patience), and was very stable. I was impressed for my first taste of inflight Wi-Fi on a domestic Australian flight!

Now about the high-speed tier for free as a platinum perk?

 

[Pleb Status]

As I rarely use the in flight WiFi, the observations below may be old news but I will report anyway...

Previously when I have signed up for the free WiFi service, the webpage asked for an email address. My Asian alter ego, Miss cough Yu, would normally volunteer to use her email address to enrol for the service.

I noticed last night when signing up for the free WiFi service that the webpage now asks for your last name and seat number. It then appears to verify the information provided, but I do not know to what extent (if at all).

If this identification process has actually been implemented, maybe J pax (and hopefully WP pax) might be provided with the premium WiFi service at no extra cost in the future (or at a substantial discount), as the system will now be able to determine who is logging in as a J/WP pax and who is not.

 

[AIRwin]

Previously when I have signed up for the free WiFi service, the webpage asked for an email address.

Is an email address required for both free and paid service? I always received a receipt by email immediately after I've signed into the free service.

 

[Pleb Status]

Is an email address required for both free and paid service? I always received a receipt by email immediately after I've signed into the free service.

I do not know, as I have not signed up to the paid service or used any of my real email addresses.

The free service no longer requires an email address...

 

[ozstamps]

I noticed last night when signing up for the free WiFi service that the webpage now asks for your last name and seat number. It then appears to verify the information provided, but I do not know to what extent (if at all).

If this identification process has actually been implemented, maybe J pax (and hopefully WP pax) might be provided with the premium WiFi service at no extra cost in the future (or at a substantial discount), as the system will now be able to determine who is logging in as a J/WP pax and who is not.

They are insane for offering it GRATIS to Biz pax. What cheap nickel and diming asking for 10 bucks. Like saying Chablis is a special Biz Class offer for $3 a glass not $6 etc. My last 3 flights to Hong Kong did not have it at all, as it appears not wired into the A330s yet, weirdly, and the one last month I was REALLY wanting to be connected all flight.

Thai just give all First Class pax a business card sixed thing with a unique code on it to type in to get free WiFi. Just common sense.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The free service no longer requires an email address...

This must be real new eh? my last flight (2 weeks ago) still required it.

 

[Astro]

This must be real new eh? my last flight (2 weeks ago) still required it.

It's hit and miss. I haven't had to use an email address for two weeks then bang I got the old (I assume old) service where you have to put in your email address and the robot code.

 

[Thibault]

Weird that the planes to/from DPS seem to be Wi-Fi capable, but aren't listed on the Virgin Australia Flight Status pages or Google Flights.

Hey there,
I can confirm that I flew to Denpasar in January from Brisbane.
Both planes had wifi access that you could buy.
I flew the 19/01 and the 23/01.

 

[samas]

Previously when I have signed up for the free WiFi service, the webpage asked for an email address. My Asian alter ego, Miss cough Yu, would normally volunteer to use her email address to enrol for the service.

I noticed last night when signing up for the free WiFi service that the webpage now asks for your last name and seat number. It then appears to verify the information provided, but I do not know to what extent (if at all).

I noticed this last week too

previously had signed on to the wifi with multiple devices each with a unique email address.

Last week discovered if I logged in with my laptop after previously logging in with my phone, the phone wifi stopped working.
Could log in again on my phone with name and seat at which point laptop stopped working.

So now only one free device per pax at a time which was unlimited devices at a time previously.

 

[Astro]

So now only one free device per pax at a time which was unlimited devices at a time previously.

Connect your phone then tether?