BY JAMES WILKINSON
Qantas has begun trialling internet access on Airbus A380 flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles, becoming the first carrier on the route to do so.
The trial, which will last for the next eight weeks, will mean passengers with Wi-Fi enabled devices – such as laptops, smartphones, iPads, iPhones and BlackBerrys – will be able to access the internet for a set amount.
“The eight week trial will give customers the opportunity to access the Internet in exactly the same way as a terrestrial Wi-Fi hotspot in which customers can pay with their credit card and surf the Internet, including the use of email,” said
Qantas’ Executive Manager Customer Experience, Alison Webster.
“Qantas is the first airline in the world to trial this service on direct flights between Australia and the US.
“Over the past week Qantas has conducted some preliminary testing and is pleased to now trial the service with customers flying between Australia and Los Angeles,” she said.
The trial will be available for First and Business Class passengers and Qantas says if it’s successful, it will evaluate rolling out the service across the A380 fleet.