Reader poll: how much would you pay for inflight Internet?

By David Flynn, December 3 2015
Reader poll: how much would you pay for inflight Internet?

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

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 687

Err .. is there meant to be a link to the survey ?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2424

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?

vfm
vfm

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 687

Bingo ! We have a winner.

Many thanks for your kind comment and sharp observation vfm. It is greatly appreciated.

24 Oct 2010

Total posts 2563

I'm seeing them fine on Firefox...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

11 Oct 2014

Total posts 687

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 687

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 1563

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 687

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 274

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 58

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 122

Survey not visible in the latest version of Firefox for Mac. Visible in Safari.

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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