Virgin Australia offers free digital newspapers from around the world
By David Flynn, March 6 2013
Virgin Australia is adding a smart new twist to the obligatory bunch of newspapers available at airport lounges by offering digital editions of over 2,300 newspapers from around the world.
In a clever collaboration with global media company NewspaperDirect, visitors to the Virgin lounges can browse the latest newspapers and magazines from 97 countries in 55 languages on their laptop, iPad, Android, Windows or BlackBerry tablet.
And it gets better: armed with the free PressReader app you'll be able to download any of the titles onto your tablet (or smartphone, as long as you don't mind a bit of screen squint) to read during your flight, later in the day or pretty much anytime.
NewspaperDirect usually charges $1 for each publication, while global news junkies can access the entire contents of the company's PressDisplay 'online kiosk' for $30 per month.
But though a deal with Virgin Australia, downloading any newspaper or magazine will be free when done over Virgin's airport lounge wi-fi network – just be sure you've got the PressReader app installed on your tablet and you'll be good to go.
Being able to grab a digital copy of your favourite newspaper, especially ones from overseas, is a great pre-flight and even post-flight perk.
I've been using PressReader since the start of this year, so watch for a review of this app and the PressDisplay service next week.
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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
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
This is a fantastic deal that Virgin has made with NewspaperDirect! How good is it that you can download a few international newspapers before a flight, being able to enjoy them later as well. I normally do not mind to read a two day old New York Times, Herald Tribune, Financial Times etc esp if you can snag a weekend copy. You read them for the backgound stories anyway, for current news I will browse the web.
Just wondering if this is available when flying International? As the lounge is not (yet) a Virgin lounge in Sydney I am fearing that you cannot download the newspapers?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2012
Total posts 580
Completely agree! With the only foreseeable draw back being that you can't read it during take-off or landing which you otherwise would be able to with a traditional newspaper.
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