Thai Airways launches Sky Connect inflight Internet on A380 fleet

By David Flynn, February 18 2014
Thai Airways launches Sky Connect inflight Internet on A380 fleet

Thai Airways launches its Sky Connect satellite Internet service this week, which will no doubt result in a surge of mile-high Twitter updates and Instagram snaps of inflight meals.

Travellers on Thai's six Airbus A380 superjumbos and seven of its A330-300 jets can now indulge in a bit of sky-high surfing on regional flights around Asia as well as long-distance international routes.

The Sky Connect service is powered by specialist inflight Internet provider OnAir and works like any pay-to-use WiFi hotspot you'd find in an airport or cafe: enter your credit card details and jump online with your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

For US$4.50 smartphone users can buy 3MB of data – enough for a quick social media hit or a few emails – with 10MB selling for US$14.50.

Tablet and laptop pricing starts at the same US$14.50 for 10MB with the option of 20MB for US$28.50.

Those prices are noticeably higher than the similar service offered by Emirates and Singapore Airlines. For example,  Emirates serves up a hefty 100MB of data for US$25 which Singapore Airlines charges US$10 for 10MB and US$25 for 30MB.

Etihad's Wi-Fly service is billed according to time, rather than data, with US$14 for one hour and US$25 for a 24-hour pass.

Coming soon: inflight phone calls

Thai's travellers will also be able to fire up their smartphone to make voice calls, according to OnAir, which expects the companion MobileAir service "will also be available on Thai flights once the regulatory framework has been determined."

Mobile OnAir is akin to global roaming on your phone for making and receiving text messages and phone calls... sSo unless you want to return home to a hefty data bill, make sure your phone's roaming function is switched off before you step on that plane.

Qantas: no demand for inflight Internet

Qantas trialled inflight Internet on selected Airbus A380 routes for nine months in 2012 but decided against introducing the satellite-based service, citing a lacklustre response from travellers.

"Whilst customers who used the Wi-Fi service told us that they valued the option to connect in flight, overall the trial has demonstrated a lower than expected take-up of the service, particularly on overnight flights where sleep was their priority" a Qantas spokeswoman told Australian Business Traveller at the time, with average take-up during the trial sitting at "less than 5 per cent."

"Naturally, the costs associated with offering a reliable internet connection in-flight are significantly higher than on the ground, particularly when you are flying over vast expanses of ocean and can’t connect to ground towers."

AusBT reader Andrew Hazelton, who tested the Qantas inflight Internet service from Sydney to Los Angeles, reported it was "fine for Facebook chat and allowed reasonable downloads for emails on the iPhone and laptop."

Read: Our hands-on review of Qantas' A380 inflight wifi Internet trials

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

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.

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1560

It is nice to have Internet at 10 km above ground, but cost is prohibiting. And if they do it for free (or cheap enough) then it would be completely clogged by sheer number of people trying to access it at the same time. So it will be no youtube and no skype, just emails and Facebook/Twiter. I would rather get connected once I landed - free WiFi almost everywhere nowadays. As spokeswoman from Qantas says sleeping will be my priority to combat jetlag. YMMV

16 Dec 2011

Total posts 49

I was flying Alaskan in the US a couple of years ago and they had a trial of free WIFI.  It was great and filled in time on the 4 hour flight, but I wouldn't pay more than $10 for it..

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1242

I'm sorry but that first pic just cracks me up! Can't believe that was an actual Thai PR image

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

At least it doesn't have a painted-over tailfin.

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1242

Ha!

05 May 2012

Total posts 32

Travellers on Thai's six Airbus A380 superjumbos and severn of its A330-300 jets can now indulge in a bit of sky-high surfing on regional flights around Asia as well as long-distance international routes.


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