Qantas passengers on Wi-Fi enabled domestic flights will soon be able to stream content from Netflix and Foxtel, and listen to music on Spotify.
The Australian carrier will offer customers access to video and audio streaming when the Wi-Fi service goes live on its first domestic aircraft in late February. The rest of the airline’s fleet of domestic Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 aircraft will follow from mid-2017 onwards.
The announcement comes 12 months after Qantas revealed that it was partnering with ViaSat and NBN to deliver high-speed in-flight connectivity on domestic services.
Qantas Group Executive of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Olivia Wirth, said: “We know that email, online shopping and general web browsing will be popular uses when we switch on Wi-Fi, but what a lot of people relish about flying is being able to catch up on their favourite TV shows or watch movies they didn’t get to see at the cinema.
“Foxtel and Netflix both have huge catalogues that are expanding all the time, so there will be no shortage of entertainment on board. The usage data from the collection of albums we already have on our aircraft shows that music is a great way for passengers to relax as they watch the world fly by. Spotify will open this up so you can listen to virtually any song you like.”
While Foxtel, Netflix and Spotify are all paid subscription services, they will offer free access to Qantas customers on and off the aircraft for between three days and one month after their Qantas flight. Foxtel will offer three days free access to its Foxtel app every time a customer flies, allowing customers to stream live sports, news and TV shows, as well as its full range of on-demand content.
Netflix will offer new customers access to the entire Netflix service as part of a 30-day free trial. Existing Netflix members only need to log in to continue watching at no extra charge. Spotify will offer a 30-day free trial of its Premium music service. Streaming of Sky News Australia will also be available.
When passengers connect to the Qantas Wi-Fi service on their own devices, as well as being offered access to Netflix, Foxtel and Spotify, they will also find a range of other options. These include real-time flight data; destination hotel, restaurant and transport options; the latest weather forecast; and personalised information linked to their itinerary and frequent flyer account.
