Qantas mulls Android app plus improved app for iPhone

Qantas is looking to upgrade its iPhone app and also considering launching an app for Android smartphones.

Following the release of its slick Windows Phone app (check out our walkthrough here), a Qantas spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that the airline is "definitely looking at other popular platforms" for its apps.

Qantas' Windows Phone app is one sweet bit of smartphone kit...

"The launch of the Windows app is part of a roll-out strategy for mobile technology" AusBT was told. "We will certainly be enhancing our mobile offering for other devices in the near future."

... which only goes to show what the Red Roo's iPhone app should be.

"I can’t name check anything officially at this stage – but we are definitely looking at other popular platforms" the spokesperson continued.

Note the plural there: platforms.

Qantas already has a Frequent Flyer app for Apple's iOS platform, which powers the iPhone and iPad – but it's a decidedly lacklustre effort which users rate an average of just two stars out of five in reviews on Apple's iTunes App Store, so that's ripe for a massive make-over. And it's hard to imagine how in this iDevice era you'd not create an app which ran to best effect on both the iPhone and the iPad.

Meanwhile, with Android now outpacing Apple by 2:1 – hitting 61 percent of US smartphone sales during the first quarter of this year, compared to 29 percent for the iPhone – plus hot new handsets from the likes of Samsung and HTC, Google's mobile platform is begging for a little Red Roo love.

For the very latest business travel news and reviews, follow us on Twitter: we're @AusBT.

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.