Reader poll: how much would you pay for inflight Internet?
By David Flynn, December 3 2015
Now that an increasing number of airlines offer inflight Internet on international routes out of Australia, the option of sky-high WiFi on your domestic Qantas or Virgin Australia flight is also slowly becoming a matter of when rather than if.
The NBN will bring its SkyMuster satellite online from the middle of next year, with the potential to deliver medium-speed connections to Aussie aircraft, while Inmarsat's advanced Ka-band Global Express network can serve up what's closer to a broadband experience at 40,000 feet.
And as previously reported, Telstra has conducted its own trials of a ground-based 4G network on the busy Sydney-Melbourne corridor.
So, once inflight Internet arrives on domestic Australian flights, how much would you be prepared to pay for it?
We've put together this snap survey to find out.
Categories include flights up to three hours, which covers the majority of flights between the east coast cities; and 4-6 hours, which includes coast-to-coast and trans-Tasman services.
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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
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Err .. is there meant to be a link to the survey ?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
There are three polls contained within the article space – if you're having trouble seeing them, what kind of device are you using and which browser?
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 22
Interesting; using a PC I can't see the 3 polls via Firefox, but ok with Chrome.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Bingo ! We have a winner.
Many thanks for your kind comment and sharp observation vfm. It is greatly appreciated.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
I'm seeing them fine on Firefox...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Thanks for your reply Chris.
1. I cannot see ANY polls (let alone 3)
2. Using Pentium 5 laptop, Windows 10 operating system (including Nov 10 update)
3. Browser is Firefox Ver 42 (most current)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Since the article is somewhat vague. Is this meant to include only QF and VA, or are LCC's JQ and TT included? That would certainly influence my response.
Also, the article starts out mentioning international, but then meanders off to domestic.
If there is no specific link, then the actual parameters of the survey should be specified and direct questions should be accurately nominated.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1564
I vote $5 and $10, but there is a caveat - I would pay only for hogh enough speed to wach youtube and use skype and that probably never happens. Voting choices should be redone and differentiate between true high-speed and text-only internet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
I'm sorta with Serge here.
Yes, I know it's a snap poll (meant to be quick) but there are a number of variables that are not considered, especially when you are asking people to equate a WiFi access policy:
1. There's a difference between Cell phone access and Tablet/PC access ie: less likely to be streaming video on a cell but highly probable on a tablet/PC.
2. I would expect differential pricing policies in a LCC / Legacy carrier scenario
3. Domestic J Class free? Could alienate your FF base ie: Plats in Y
4. Satellite International access not mentioned at all.
5. Speed.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Yes there are variables, but you're really over-complicating what is a very simple question. This isn't an in-depth survey, there are three questions and nowhere is Jetstar or Tiger mentioned.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
The best thing about Qatar First Class is that they gave Free Wifi for all F passengers, but Etihad on the other hand was a fully paid service no matter First or Economy. Luckily Etihad's wifi was superb, and Qatar's was jittery at best, so I was surprised.
However I feel premium passengers should have access to at least limited time Wifi, if not entirely free.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Dec 2014
Total posts 59
Emirates charges USD1 for long haul flights, so why should a shorter domestic flight cost any more?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Oct 2015
Total posts 4
Having used wifi on Etihad for "24 hours" on flights to Europe (which I found to be really great!) I'd throw this bit in... if the flight is delayed, then the subscription should be automatically extended until the end of the flight
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
Inflight internet... shut up and take my money! Seriously, I would use it on every flight. For flights up to 3 hours: $20. Up to 5: $25. over 8: $30-35.
I've used EY's internet and found it to be very responsive, easy to access and reasonably priced.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2011
Total posts 24
No doubt if Qantas introduce it they will charge through the nose, for all PAX without reference to loyalty. After all they insult their most loyal customers, their Platinum members, by charging $60 for an exit seat on transcontinental flights.
Air Canada - Aeroplan
28 Feb 2015
Total posts 115
Survey not visible in the latest version of Firefox for Mac. Visible in Safari.
21 Feb 2015
Total posts 68
I've always thought inflight internet should be a "fair" price.
Cheap enough that it's similar to the price of a movie ticket - just a different form of entertainment
and yet
Expensive enough - (if there's insufficient bandwidth) to deter people who wanna stream 5 gb of video on a long haul flight "just because i can" and "might as well use it all up eh?"
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