Passengers on Qantas domestic flights will soon be able to stream movies, TV shows and music from Foxtel, Netflix and Spotify free of charge using the airline’s in-flight WiFi.
Although these subscription services can normally be streamed over any supported WiFi connection, Qantas will make each provider’s library available at no cost to travelers regardless of whether they already hold a subscription.
“We know that email, online shopping and general web browsing will be popular uses when we switch on WiFi, but a lot of people relish being able to catch up on their favorite TV shows or watch movies they missed at the cinema,” said Olivia Wirth, Qantas group executive of brand, marketing and corporate affairs. “Foxtel and Netflix both have extensive catalogues that are constantly growing, so there will be plenty of entertainment onboard.”
Access periods vary by service: Foxtel will grant three days’ free access to its app following each Qantas flight; Netflix will offer its full library via a 30-day free trial for new members, while existing subscribers can log in and continue watching at no extra charge; and Spotify will provide a 30-day free trial of Spotify Premium, which removes ads and adds features such as offline listening and unlimited skips.
Passengers wishing to take advantage of Netflix’s or Spotify’s free trial offers will need to sign up for those services.
Qantas’s free, high-speed WiFi is scheduled to debut on its first Boeing 737 late this month, with a wider rollout to the carrier’s remaining 737s and Airbus A330 aircraft beginning from mid-2017.