Qantas will install a new onboard WiFi system early next year that lets passengers check email and use social media during flight — at no cost. The upgrade offers several additional benefits beyond free connectivity: it helps pilots access real-time weather updates to avoid turbulence, enables electronic medical assessments for ill passengers, and allows maintenance teams on the ground to review aircraft data while a flight is still airborne.
Unlike many airlines that limit complimentary service to streaming entertainment, Qantas plans to provide full internet access so travelers can send messages, check mail, and stay connected throughout a journey. For flight crews, the system delivers operational advantages. Up-to-date weather feeds will improve tactical routing decisions and reduce encounters with rough air. Cabin staff will be able to transmit electronic heart-monitor readings and other medical data to specialists on the ground, supporting faster, more informed medical decisions and potentially reducing the need for unscheduled diversions.
In addition to safety and medical uses, the connectivity will let engineers examine diagnostic data in real time, which could shorten maintenance-related delays by allowing issues to be assessed and addressed while the aircraft is still airborne. The system will also support rebooking and passenger communications when delays or missed connections occur, simplifying recovery for travelers.
Qantas intends to install the technology on around 100 Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 aircraft beginning in early 2017. A trial run on a single 737 is scheduled before the end of this year to validate performance and operational workflows.