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July 24, 2007 11:12 AM PDT

Qantas to offer Wi-Fi in flight

by Mike Yamamoto
  • 2 comments
(Credit: Engadget)

Note to U.S. airlines: Watch what Qantas is doing. The Australian airliner will offer Wi-Fi and electrical outlets on its new A380 and renovated 747-400s next year, according to Engadget. The cost of these perks hasn't been made public, but the carrier will reportedly install power sockets even in some economy cabins.

To which we can't help but respond: Where's the rest of the airline industry on this? For all the hassles and wasted time passenger must endure in the fiasco that passes for air travel these days, the least carriers can do is provide basic Internet access--for a fee, of course, because nothing comes free at 30,000 feet. And to show how passionately we feel about this subject, we're booking a trip to Sydney right now. Take that, United.

April 18, 2007 11:30 AM PDT

Qantas to allow inflight texting

by Kent German
  • 3 comments
Now arriving: inflight texting

Now arriving: inflight texting

Inflight cell phone use may still be a no-no in the United States, but flyers Down Under will soon get the chance to use their phones while in the air. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Australia's largest airline is launching a test program that will allow passengers to text from 35,000 feet. Qantas is one of the first airlines to have such a program, although Ryanair and Emirates plan similar tests later this year. The three-month trial will determine if cell phone use aboard an aircraft is a "good idea." (Here's a hint: It's not.) Passengers will be allowed only to send text and e-mail messages; phone calls will not be permitted (phew!). Here's hoping Qantas will ban text alert messages, as a constant pinging sound in an enclosed space doesn't sound like a good time.

Qantas will select one Boeing 767 as the test aircraft for the three-month trial, which will apply only to domestic flights. Passengers won't know if they're on that particular plane until they board. If the trial is successful, and the airline determines that cell phones don't interfere with navigational and communications systems, Qantas may expand cell phone use to all its flights and aircraft. Calling may even be permitted at some point, but let's just hope that's never the case.

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