Virgin Australia says international inflight WiFi 'coming soon'
By David Flynn, July 12 2017
Virgin Australia aims to expand its inflight Internet service to cover the USA and Asia while also building up its domestic fleet of WiFi-equipped jets.
The airline, which is nearing the end of a three-month trial, has just upgraded its second Boeing 737 with Gogo’s 2Ku technology.
“But we’ll be doing the whole fleet, Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s, and we’ll have WiFi on Asia and US routes soon,” Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti told Australian Business Traveller during the airline’s inaugural flight from Melbourne to Hong Kong.
How soon, we pressed? “Very soon,” Borghetti teased.
“It’s just a matter of scheduling – when you’ve got over 100 aeroplanes, you want to try and (upgrade) them when you are doing heavy maintenance.”
The free trial of Virgin’s inflight WiFi service has seen passengers enjoying typical download speeds of 15-20Mbps.
AusBT review: Virgin Australia inflight Internet
Virgin hasn’t revealed if the service will remain free after the trial period, but is believed to be leaning towards letting travellers choose between two levels of service: a Basic connection suitable for Web browsing, email and social media, and a High Speed pipeline for streaming video from the likes of Netflix.
In a survey sent to selected Virgin Australia passengers earlier this year, Virgin pitched a Basic connection at between $8 and $14 per flight, with the High Speed alternative at $15 to $21 per flight.
However, Virgin also allowed that “on some flights the price could be free, or the first 30 minutes could be free.”
Read: Virgin polls travellers on inflight Internet pricing, usage
Qantas will seek to differentiate its own Qantas WiFi service by offering it free for all passengers.
However, the Flying Kangaroo’s focus is firmly on its extensive domestic network, with ten Boeing 737s being upgraded to the NBN satellite tech in time for an official launch of the service in September this year.
While the airline says it’s considering extending the service to international flights, this is not expected to happen until after the 80-strong domestic Boeing 737 and A330 fleet is fully upgraded by late 2018.
David Flynn travelled to Hong Kong as a guest of Virgin Australia
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.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 856
International expansion will probably be easier for VA than QF. VA has chosen the global Gogo platform for its wifi product. It can be used globally as it is already in service with airlines such as BA, DL and VS. QF has currently gone with the SkyMuster product which is currently concentrated on Australia using the geostationary NBN satellites.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1390
That's just for the Qantas 737s. The 330s are reported to be using a Ku/Ka antenna that will be able to use other satellites as well
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 856
I assume there will have to be another round of testing if this is the case. This would suggest that the A330 fleet is unlikely to be upgraded until towards the end of the stated late 2018 timeframe.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 577
10 Mbps is all I need for work and play
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
31 Oct 2016
Total posts 73
I just stick to a Mars Bar a day for all my work rest and play
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jul 2017
Total posts 14
Whilst it would be convenient to have access, I find that I like being able to put my phone in flight mode, take a time out and not be bothered by emails and messages whilst flying. Yes, I'll still put my phone in flight mode but people will no longer accept flying as an excuse for not immediately replying to messages.
18 Jan 2017
Total posts 41
"The whole fleet" ... Does that include the VARA fleet ? (As Virgin are great at excluding VARA)
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 856
I'd be surprised if either QF or VA bother to install wifi on their regional airlines yet; maybe in years to come but at this stage I think that only mainline fleets are rostered for the upgrades.
15 Sep 2016
Total posts 2
Trailed this unexpectedly MEL - ADL VA233 03.07.2017. Tried You Tube, Netflix & Stan in addition to iMessage and email. Easy to connect and no issues streaming video. Thank goodness no voice services!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Oct 2015
Total posts 63
I think they should be looking at the bigger picture first rather than worrying about wi-fi. The alliances they have are all over the shot - I'd have a better chance of winning lottery than naming who Virgin are aligned and not aligned with today. Sort out the international lounges and flights before you introduce new aspects.
18 Nov 2015
Total posts 121
I recently grow flew a American Airlines from London to New York. They use Panasonic as their wi-fi provider. It was $19USD for the duration of the flight (about 7-8 hours). I was more than happy to pay that to stay connected to my own business and action emails etc rather than arrive in New York and have to spend my first couple of hours at my hotel on my laptop.
18 Nov 2015
Total posts 121
Lots of typos in my post. Typing it on the go on my phone.
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