VA [Inflight] Wi-Fi

[Rubix]

Crew member on my last flight said reservation name and seat number was to stop crew using internet. As they use spent too much time sitting in Galley playing on phones in quiet times.

Cabin manager also mentioned that row 8 sits in between the reception for inflight wifi/entertainment. I had no problem using WhatsApp and light browsing on Free Wifi but the chap in 8A wasn't impressed. Haha.

Let's get free wifi for Platinums. Has anyone made a suggestion to VFF? I am happy to do so aswell.

 

[AIRwin]

Crew member on my last flight said reservation name and seat number was to stop crew using internet.

They may still have that info though?

 

[Rubix]

They may still have that info though?

Yep, we touched on that!

 

[Bagpuss]

My last 3 flights to Hong Kong did not have it at all, as it appears not wired into the A330s yet, weirdly, and the one last month I was REALLY wanting to be connected all flight.

VH-XFG ( VH-XFG - Airbus A330-243 - Virgin Australia - Flightradar24 ) has been in Hong Kong since 15th February, so almost a month.

Chances are they installing WiFi (and maintenance) or it has a technical fault.

 

[henrus]

Anyone have an update on the number of 737's connected?

Currently QF has 72% complete

Mid last year VA was at 34% complete so would be interesting to see how this has progressed.

Update : Went and counted the flight status page... VA has 84% of the 737-800's complete.

 

[Milefest]

Is anyone else having to use a VPN to watch youtube/netflix? I don't like that you have to pay to have these options to be unlocked when the standard speed is fast enough.

 

[henrus]

Is anyone else having to use a VPN to watch youtube/netflix? I don't like that you have to pay to have these options to be unlocked when the standard speed is fast enough.

​

Never tried this but maybe next time compare by using fast.com (a speedtest on netflix servers) and speedtest.net (testing to an Optus server).

The free speed seems limited to 1mbps which isn't really enough for much more than 360/480p video anyway.

 

[Saab34]

I wonder if they will hold back the rest as Tiger is still about 10 odd 737s short, and the swap overs start in the next half.

They could uninstall them or maybe Tiger goes WiFi on pay per use only.

 

[henrus]

Can I just rant about how inconsistent the pricing is at the moment...

Last Week flew Trans Tasman and prices were as follows (for a 3 hour flight)
15 minutes - $4.99
1 hour - $6.99
Full Flight - $12.99

Noting that the 15 minute package is free with the promo code (currently "TASMANddmm" with ddmm being the date). Also appears to be no limit on the number of 15 minute packages and promo code uses per flight. Speed was also great up to 40mbps download and 3.5mbps upload.

Then on a 4 hour flight from Rarotonga to Auckland only one option appeared
Full Flight - $6.99

This came with a message saying wifi signal wasn't available for the full flight (ended up working for about 3/4 of the flight).

On a flight from Brisbane to Port Vila (2 hours) only two packages exist:
1 hour - $6.99
Full Flight - $8.99

Finally domestically it's free for the flight but speed limited to 1mbps with full flight "high speed" packs around $12.99

 

[moa999]

Possibly they are still trialling prices

 

[21510702]

The issue has now become whether my phone can stay on for 4 hours of video browsing

 

[Milefest]

The issue has now become whether my phone can stay on for 4 hours of video browsing

For those of you that travel frequently enough, it's worth investing in a good battery case or portable charger.

 

[jase05]

Would love to see WP’s get it it for free but no biggie

 

[21510702]

For those of you that travel frequently enough, it's worth investing in a good battery case or portable charger.

Yep. Always bring spare batteries for holidays

 

[Astro]

Has anyone purchased the faster option on VA Dom? Is it worthwhile?

I have never streamed but use social media / web browsing which can be slow at times. Wondering if the few bucks is worth the investment?

 

[henrus]

Has anyone purchased the faster option on VA Dom? Is it worthwhile?

Haven't bothered domestically but the free option is limited to 1mbps hence it might feel slow at times.

I have been on international flights (operating over Australia) that use the same satellites and purchased the full flight pass (they only offer the full speed on international flights). The speeds have been up to 39mbps download, 3.4mbps upload and 667ms ping which is not bad but obviously this depends on the satellite and number of people using it at once.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Are there any day passes available?

I'll be doing SYD-MEL-AKL-RAR soon, so I'm wondering if there's a better deal than buying separate passes (at least on the two international sectors).

 

[henrus]

Are there any day passes available?

I'll be doing SYD-MEL-AKL-RAR soon, so I'm wondering if there's a better deal than buying separate passes (at least on the two international sectors).

No day passes exist however there is a roaming login for full iPass subscriptions (these tend to be for business subscriptions only).

Sydney to Melbourne (assuming the aircraft is fitted) is free (speeds up to 1mbps)

Melbourne to Auckland is also free for 15 minutes (otherwise $12.99 for the flight - but you can sign up for the free 15 minutes multiple times )

Auckland to Rarotonga is $6.99 for the flight (only one package option) but coverage is limited to about the first 1.5 hours out of Auckland and then the last 30 minutes before arrival.

Green is the current coverage and the great circle route between Auckland and Rarotonga.


As a side note I think AKL-RAR might be the only 737 route that travels outside of the coverage area. AKL-TBU (Tonga) and the new PER-HBA both are close however I'm not sure if they still get coverage or not.

 

[AIRwin]

I couldn't connect to the complimentary WiFI on my flight tonight and kept encountering the error that my last name did not match the seat number. So I started a live chat with the provider Gogo. Apparently the cause was a last minute seat change which I had requested at the lounge, so they gave me a promo code for me to use instead. Now I've learned not to check in online in case I end up wanting to change to a different seat...

 

[theoracle30]

Does anyone know if any Airbus A330s have WiFi yet, and how many 737s are left to go? I can't seem to find any info on it.