Quantcast

Qantas delays international inflight WiFi rollout until next year

Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Alaska Airlines' “Aviation Day” inspires future aviators
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
Qantas delays international inflight WiFi rollout until next year
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

Qantas Airways has announced a delay in the availability of inflight WiFi on its international flights, with the service now expected to launch next year. While domestic routes and some select international services already offer connectivity, the majority of long-haul flights will not have this feature until January.

The airline is collaborating with Viasat to equip its fleet of sixteen Airbus A330-200 aircraft, primarily serving Asian destinations, with satellite-based WiFi systems. Although several planes have been retrofitted, the complimentary service won't be operational by month's end as initially planned.

A Qantas spokesperson told Executive Traveller: "The fitout of our A330 fleet with the necessary WiFi hardware is on track, and we are working with our technology provider to make this available for customers on international flights from late January 2025."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Currently, passengers traveling on WiFi-enabled Airbus A330-200D or Boeing 737-800 aircraft can access internet services while flying over Australia to destinations like Bali, Singapore, and Manila. However, connectivity ceases once these aircraft leave Australian airspace.

The majority of Qantas' domestic fleet benefits from the NBN Sky Muster satellite network offering speeds between 10-15Mbps. Aircraft including the Airbus A330-200D, Boeing 737-800, and Airbus A220-300 are equipped for internet access.

The partnership with Viasat aims to provide consistent inflight Internet across both domestic and international routes. The first international aircraft fitted with Viasat's antenna was an A330-200LR registered as VH-EBN. According to Qantas: "We’ve been waiting until global satellite technology could deliver a similar quality connection to the one that Qantas domestic customers enjoy, even in areas of the world where it was previously impossible."

Future plans include retrofitting Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A330-300s, and Airbus A380 Superjumbos starting early 2025. For instance, installing WiFi on an A380 involves significant modifications such as adding a radome and antenna. The more recently acquired Boeing 787s were pre-provisioned for easier installation.

Newly arriving Boeing 787s and ultra-long-range Airbus A350s will be delivered WiFi-ready. This is crucial for Qantas’ Project Sunrise program connecting Sydney directly to New York and London on flights exceeding 20 hours using the A350-1000ULR model.

A spokesperson confirmed: "Our exciting new aircraft arrivals, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, will also come equipped with Wi-Fi upon delivery."

Organizations Included in this History
More News

UPS has operated one of the longest direct air cargo routes in the United States since 2018, connecting Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky with Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 family, designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo.

Aug 2, 2025

Russian airline Aeroflot reported significant flight disruptions on Monday, July 28, due to a failure in its information systems.

Aug 2, 2025

After more than four years, American Airlines will reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route starting October 6.

Aug 2, 2025

The Airbus A321XLR, which entered service in late 2024, is now the longest-range narrowbody aircraft available.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 are the only commercial jetliners with a partial or full second passenger deck, and both have left a significant mark on aviation history.

Aug 2, 2025