Jetstar is running live trials of a new inflight entertainment system capable of beaming movies, TV shows and music directly to a traveller’s smartphone or tablet.
The Jetstar Streaming service is similar to Qantas’ Q Streaming, with one exception – passengers will be expected to pay for the content.
Video & review: Qantas' in-flight Q Streaming in action
Australian Business Traveller reader Ben McBride was presented with the opportunity to test the system on a recent Jetstar flight from Hobart to Sydney, and shared these screenshots and notes.
McBride was alerted to the trial by Jetstar gate staff at Hobart Airport while waiting to board the flight, and took the chance to download the necessary iPhone app.
After take-off, the Wi-Fi entertainment system on the Airbus A320 was turned on and revealed a ‘Jetstar WIFI’ hotspot.
“I started the app and it did some thinking while to trying to connect to the streaming server,” McBride says…
“But eventually I got there and was greeted with the home screen.”
The main menu shows the types of content available.
“Because I was on a short flight to Hobart from Sydney I went for TV,” McBride explains.
“I drilled down into Lifestyle & Reality…”
“… and being an engineer I headed for a documentary about the machines used to build the Olympic Park for the London Olympics.”
“Before you begin watching, you can scroll down and find out more about the video you selected.”
“When you do start watching your selection, naturally you're able to put the video into full screen.”
McBridge notes that the controls and text are in 'Jetstar Orange’, which he says “was a nice touch and showed attention to detail.”
“Of course, when the crew made announcements my video was paused and the app 'locked' so I couldn't do anything until the announcement was finished.”
Jetstar also plans a ‘child lock’ feature intended to restrict kids to a set of content suitable to their tender years.
“If you enter the ‘Kid's Zone’ you won't be able to leave without following the procedure shown on the screen,” McBride says, although he adds that “this feature should stop all children up to the age of about two weeks… they’re born tech-savvy these days.”
If you’ve travelled on a Jetstar flight with the new streaming Wi-Fi entertainment service installed, share your own experiences below…
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Good stuff! Nice to see Jetstar offering this sort of thing, even if you need to pay for a single-use code. This looks like a smart, sharp app that appears to deliver the content and look very Jetstar in the process.
I do hope this gets rolled out in full across Jetstar, and (dare I suggest it) Jetstar Asia.
02 Jan 2013
Total posts 140
Great idea. I recently took a couple of flights with Air Canada Rouge and they had a similar product. I was able to watch a few episodes of various shows on my own device without no issue in the world. All in all, I hope it comes to fruition.
29 Aug 2013
Total posts 57
I was searching the net the other day and found this pdf: https://www.jetstar.com/nz/en/what-we-offer/in-flight/~/_media/3A52204580E44AED994083634D85072C.ashx
at the time I didn't think anything of it but now you've reported I realise that this hadn't been mentioned anywhere that I've seen.
I like the look, not keen on the $10 though when VA do it for free.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Jetstar is Jetstar. Do you really expect them to do this for free when they can charge you for the privilege?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Nov 2012
Total posts 10
It will be interesting to see how up to date the content is. As a loyal VA customer I notice that the content on their in flight system seems to be losing the variety lately. Mind you the "box set" idea allowing you to watch episodes in order is pretty cool. As is the map which seems to have started to give extra content on how your journey is progressing, ETA times etc (I did notice it does not know that we are currently on daylight saving!)
BTW, cmon guys be fair to the Jetstar guys, they do give oxygen for free, without the merchant fees as well. :)
04 Jan 2016
Total posts 1
hi, i can't find this app anywhere, is it still available?
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