Qantas starts international wifi

[moa999]

Thankyou, I suspected there's a very little chance of getting a -200 on that route.

Believe Mon flights are 332s (at least last two weeks).
And soon it will probably be 2/10 333s with internet (QPH already and QPI 2+ months in maintenance).

Hopefully once QPI is out we see a few more planes where just the internet is installed, before the 332 refurbishments start.

 

[elanshin]

So i just took VH-EBM (332) and saw no wifi between syd-mel.

Wonder if they just forgot to turn it on.

 

[Layslow]

Just jumping in. I was on a Dash 8 service from Tassie to Melbourne and whilst the flight didn't have wifi, the plane flew low enough for me to have phone reception almost the entire time (with a few interuptions here and there...)

 

[DejaBrew]

the plane flew low enough for me to have phone reception almost the entire time (with a few interuptions here and there...)

You mean your phone that was set to “flight mode”?

 

[Beano]

You mean your phone that was set to “flight mode”?

So what's odd about messaging from a plane? Welcome to flying in the electronic age!

 

[kpro]

the flight didn't have wifi, the plane flew low enough for me to have phone reception almost the entire time

So what's odd about messaging from a plane?

Nothing wrong with messaging from a plane if WiFi is available. However, using cellular service while in the air is in contravention of CASA rules for Using your electronic devices on flights and could see you penalised against the CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY REGULATIONS 1998 - REG 91.170 Operation of portable electronic devices.

 

[Beano]

Nothing wrong with messaging from a plane if WiFi is available. However, using cellular service while in the air is in contravention of CASA rules for Using your electronic devices on flights and could see you penalised against the CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY REGULATIONS 1998 - REG 91.170 Operation of portable electronic devices.

I think most understand that, but there are a few...........!

 

[Layslow]

Nothing wrong with messaging from a plane if WiFi is available. However, using cellular service while in the air is in contravention of CASA rules for Using your electronic devices on flights and could see you penalised against the CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY REGULATIONS 1998 - REG 91.170 Operation of portable electronic devices.

Aren't you a little smarty pants. Yes I do get that using your phone's signal in the air isn't legal, but neither is driving 70 in a 60 zone, or smoking a joint but... There have been no accidents caused by someone having their phone on - otherwise every passenger would need to hand them over as they got on the plane. Also the regulation you quote is 27 years old - and a lot has changed... Looking at you iPhone

 

[moa999]

So i just took VH-EBM (332) and saw no wifi between syd-mel.

Think that's one of the three 332s without at present (EBM/P/Q) - normally not on the domestic sectors.

 

[Beano]

Aren't you a little smarty pants. Yes I do get that using your phone's signal in the air isn't legal, but neither is driving 70 in a 60 zone, or smoking a joint but... There have been no accidents caused by someone having their phone on - otherwise every passenger would need to hand them over as they got on the plane. Also the regulation you quote is 27 years old - and a lot has changed... Looking at you iPhone

That's invoking the usual one rule to bind them all--Don't Get Caught!

 

[elanshin]

That's invoking the usual one rule to bind them all--Don't Get Caught!

I thought one of the reasons is that some modern 5G bands can potentially mess with altimeter especially as you get closer to landing.

 

[Beano]

I thought one of the reasons is that some modern 5G bands can potentially mess with altimeter especially as you get closer to landing.

Don't know about 5G but I heard that although it may not affect navigation etc, the pilots may hear twittering noises on their headphones which may be distracting. the more people use them the noisier it becomes. I remember in the very early days of mobile phones hearing such noises on my own headphones.

 

[kpro]

Aren't you a little smarty pants. Yes I do get that using your phone's signal in the air isn't legal, but neither is driving 70 in a 60 zone, or smoking a joint but... There have been no accidents caused by someone having their phone on - otherwise every passenger would need to hand them over as they got on the plane. Also the regulation you quote is 27 years old - and a lot has changed... Looking at you iPhone

I didn't expect the pleasant conversation to devolve into high school level name calling, and so quickly too.

1. I did say 'could see you penalised'.
2. The regulation doesn't have an expiry. In any case it appears to be broadly worded and leaves the interpretation of 'using a mobile device' to the pilot or cabin crew.
3. In which case the CASA rules for Using your electronic devices on flights is the most up-to-date information, which permits WiFi but not not 'mobile telephone functions'.

Whether or not you get caught or get fined, in this and the other circumstances you mentioned, I can't comment on.