Qantas adds WiFi streaming movies, TV shows to all QantasLink jets
The entire QantasLink regional jet fleet is switching on with inflight entertainment.
By David Flynn, September 2 2021
Qantas is finally adding inflight entertainment right across its QantasLink jet fleet, with plans to launch the extended WiFi-powered streaming service at the end of September.
Using the same system as currently offered on QantasLink's dual-cabin Boeing 717 aircraft, passengers will be able to watch movies and TV series, and tune into audiobooks, on their own devices via the Qantas Entertainment app or via a standard Web browser.
However, there won't be inflight Internet access, which remains the domain of Qantas' Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 jets.
Upgrade work will begin on a QantasLink Airbus A320 from this week, with the streaming technology to be progressively installed across all QantasLink jet aircraft by the second half of 2022.
This will span from the workhorse Boeing 717s and Fokker 100s to the Embraer E190 aircraft supplied by Alliance Airline – although not turboprops such as the Bombardier Q200, Q300 and Q400s.
Read: What it’s like to fly on the new QantasLink Embraer E190
Qantas says its "more than 2,500 hours" of streamable content will include premiere movies such as Cruella and Black Widow, along with "binge-worthy TV series such as Billions and Mare of Easttown" and additional content through Qantas' streaming partner Stan.
Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully says the airline's passengers often say "they value being able to take time for themselves inflight to catch up on their favourite TV shows or watch movies they didn’t get to see at the cinema."
"In a normal year, our customers watch more than 20 million hours of movies and TV shows while flying with us, so we know our streaming service is incredibly popular, especially on longer domestic routes."
"This investment means more of our customers will have access to inflight entertainment, particularly when travelling to smaller capital cities and regional centres."
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
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
This is great news
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 31
Brilliant ... Not that I travel much on B717 but its still a great offering. Good job Qantas
07 Nov 2020
Total posts 39
It's a step forward but I still prefer a seatback screen.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Nov 2013
Total posts 27
With all the closed borders I'm flying Qantaslink a lot more often so I'll be making use of this enhancement. I'm flying the nearly 4 hour journey to Darwin (from Perth) in November on the A320 so I'm delighted those jets are getting upgraded first.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
I hope you have got yourself an exit row. That's a long time to be on an ex-Jetstar plane
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Guess this means the Fokker 100s and the 717s are going to be around for a while then.
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