Qantas starts international wifi

[frodo]

Couple of weeks ago now but post 134 in this thread.

Still only the 332s, no mention of the 333s.

The onboard experience section for the 333s still lists 'no wi-fi' so I assume they have not yet been fitted.

 

[logicallysynced]

Weirdly enough I have “Chance of Wi-Fi” for my upcoming AKL-BNE trip on the A330-200. I didn’t think the trans-tasman routes were active yet?

So maybe just a blanket statement for A330-200 onboard experience page then?

 

[mviy]

Weirdly enough I have “Chance of Wi-Fi” for my upcoming AKL-BNE trip on the A330-200. I didn’t think the trans-tasman routes were active yet?

So maybe just a blanket statement for A330-200 onboard experience page then?

Maybe. Perhaps a chance of wifi on the descent into BNE at the end of the flight?

 

[logicallysynced]

Maybe. Perhaps a chance of wifi on the descent into BNE at the end of the flight?

I mean.. you can technically do that when in range of mobile data anyways..

 

[moa999]

Another RGN article on some of the technical aspects of ViaSats 'roaming' onto it's Intelsat SATs, which one presume is what StarLux and Qantas will be doing.

Viasat reveals details about cross roaming play, Telesat prep -

A cross-roaming play by Viasat has unlocked capacity for the satellite operator's aero customers, providing more bandwidth and opportunities.

runwaygirlnetwork.com

333 VH-QPH has been in BNE maintenance for about six weeks, so will hopefully appear soon with a hump.

 

[BrianQQ]

Has this been delayed again? Or did flights actually rollout

 

[moa999]

Has this been delayed again? Or did flights actually rollout

Given lack of announcements, I suspect the late March target for the 13/16 332s and possibly? 737s has been missed.

 

[moa999]

Well in good news for Qantas not being stuck with an outdated product, Viasat has signed it's deal with Telesat Lightspeed

Viasat adds Telesat Lightspeed LEO connectivity to multi-orbit mix

Geostationary operator Viasat has signed a contract to use the low Earth orbit constellation Telesat plans to start deploying next year to help counter competition from SpaceX’s satellites in LEO.…

spacenews.com

Telesat Lightspeed has to date just launched test satellites but has 14 launch contracts with SpaceX from mid-2026 to launch its 198 satellite constellation within a year.
At 198 v 7000 StarLink the satellites are slightly higher in orbit, but also have a much greater lifespan.

ViaSats existing aerials can be software upgraded to connect with these LEO satellites, but they are also planning a new quickly swappable steerable aerial that can lock onto both LEO and GEO.

Viasat Launches Amara: Next Generation In-Flight Connectivity Solution to Deliver a Connected Experience Unique to Each Airline

Viasat has launched its new Amara service, its next generation in-flight connectivity solution to deliver a connected experience unique to each airline

www.viasat.com

 

[docjames]

I’m a little lost on where this is up to, (thought it had gone live), but did the QF36/36 combo recently (last fortnight) and VH-EBJ had wifi over continental Aus only. VH-EBV had none. Both are A330-200s.

 

[mviy]

I wonder if ViaSat gave QF any advance notice of the announcement moa999 linked to. If so, they may have decided to delay it a little to be able to incorporate that useful upgrade?

 

[snooze]

VH-EBO is currently on his way to Delhi and it looks like it has the wifi bump fitted. Has it been switched on yet? Or still turned off?

 

[moa999]

VH-EBO is currently on his way to Delhi and it looks like it has the wifi bump fitted. Has it been switched on yet? Or still turned off?

Per post #134 it has a bump.. whether it's switched on for Aus only, or Aus + Asia is another matter.

 

[moa999]

This ET article seems to suggest that full access to Asia should now be active in some 332s.
With 737s to NZ (and presumably also shorthaul Asia) to follow.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-wifi-new-zealand-flights

 

[moa999]

Australian now reporting the same, still can't see anything on QF website news releases.

Anyone with recent 332 experience to Asia
(Other than I think EBM/EBP/EBQ)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/qantas-boots-up-wifi-on-international-routes-flights-to-singapore-and-hong-kong-first-in-line/news-story/e7e34ff164b054e8b870123b26dc96ce?amp

 

[docjames]

Australian now reporting the same, still can't see anything on QF website news releases.

Anyone with recent 332 experience to Asia
(Other than I think EBM/EBP/EBQ)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/qantas-boots-up-wifi-on-international-routes-flights-to-singapore-and-hong-kong-first-in-line/news-story/e7e34ff164b054e8b870123b26dc96ce?amp

I’m a little lost on where this is up to, (thought it had gone live), but did the QF36/36 combo recently (last fortnight) and VH-EBJ had wifi over continental Aus only. VH-EBV had none. Both are A330-200s.

As above from last week of March - first week of April.

Outbound over Aus mainland (ie. domestic service).

Return not at all.

 

[NZflygirl]

Well in good news for Qantas not being stuck with an outdated product, Viasat has signed it's deal with Telesat Lightspeed

Viasat adds Telesat Lightspeed LEO connectivity to multi-orbit mix

Geostationary operator Viasat has signed a contract to use the low Earth orbit constellation Telesat plans to start deploying next year to help counter competition from SpaceX’s satellites in LEO.…

spacenews.com

Telesat Lightspeed has to date just launched test satellites but has 14 launch contracts with SpaceX from mid-2026 to launch its 198 satellite constellation within a year.
At 198 v 7000 StarLink the satellites are slightly higher in orbit, but also have a much greater lifespan.

ViaSats existing aerials can be software upgraded to connect with these LEO satellites, but they are also planning a new quickly swappable steerable aerial that can lock onto both LEO and GEO.

Viasat Launches Amara: Next Generation In-Flight Connectivity Solution to Deliver a Connected Experience Unique to Each Airline

Viasat has launched its new Amara service, its next generation in-flight connectivity solution to deliver a connected experience unique to each airline

www.viasat.com

Is Telesat who Viasat partnered with to provide Asia / Trans tasman wifi coverage? Are they using these test satellites or did Viasat partner with existing satellite wifi providers? And do you know who they partnered with for TT? I haven't been able to find that on google. Just curious.

 

[moa999]

Telesat who Viasat partnered with to provide Asia / Trans tasman wifi coverage? Are

No. First Telesat Lightspeed sat not due to launch until 2026 (via SpaceX).

Believe that the Asia/NZ coverage will initially come from the Inmarsat GX6A satellite which covers the Indian Ocean, SE Asia and parts of the Pacific.

ViaSat made a takeover offer for Inmarsat in 2021 and it closed in mid-2023. It's a dual Ka/Ku satellite with steerable beams.