Qantas to Conduct an Evaluation of New Technology Allowing Customers to stay Connected Inflight

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2006/aug06/Q3469' target='_blank'>http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2006/aug06/Q3469</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Qantas said it would introduce new technology from early 2007, which will enable customers to make and receive emails, SMS and calls via their own mobile phone or personal electronic devices such as Blackberrys. Qantas Group General Manager of Customer Product and Services, Ms Lesley Grant, said the airline would evaluate the technology over a three-month period on a Boeing 767 aircraft operating on Australian domestic routes. "Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to offer this service." Ms Grant said Qantas' research indicated that customers were increasingly demanding the same range of services in the air as those available on the ground."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Jerry-airbus-qantas.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />It will be interesting to see how this flies. No pun intended. While the debate over whether people should be chatting on cellphones during flights will never end, it looks like it is coming to an airplane near you soon. What do you think?

[Rocco Augusto]

we should be investing in new technologies like flying cars and teleporters... i mean it is the 21st century and all ;)

[Sven Johannsen]

I voted "No Voice, Just Data" and NO, Skype is not data, regardless how it is being charged ;)

[Jerry Raia]

I have to go with data only on this one. Too much noise on airplanes already.

[ctmagnus]

Data only. I like data.

[OSUKid7]

My initial reaction was data only, but I voted all services. Sure it could be annoying, but all other forms of transportation allow you to use cell phones. Why not flights? If you can't stand the noise, get some earplugs. There are other ways around the problem than outlawing talking on phones.

[iclark]

I voted data only but I suggest it will be all or nothing. No seperate mode for Data only unless they control it via the uplink onboard to only allow Text Traffic.

In reality they would be able to make a buzzillion $$$$ if they simply rented a table style laptop with Webaccess. People could check mail etc.

Pretty pointless to try to have a conversation with the cabin noise...Perhaps BOSE could offer a noice cancelling Mobile phone. It would only allow enjoyable mobile calls.

JetStar - QANTAS's cheaper airline (BYO Blanket pillow and reading material) rent video screens for a few bucks and make a killing.

QANTAS are pretty progressive. We fly them all the time. They were one of the first airlines we fly to allow flight mode and PUBLISH this everywhere in their magazines. No need to ask a flight attendant who usually replied "I'm Sorry sir you can you your mobile phone when on board".....

They also run Video on Demand on quiet a few routes now. This is great. You get up to go to the dunny and press pause. you want have a nap for a few hours and pick up the movie where you were - No problems. Best yet - you only got half way though a movie on your last flight - just fast forward to the same spot and away you go....My flight last week had 30-40 first rate release choice.

Be interesting to follow as they are definately focussed on passenger needs and a LARGE % of the passenges on every flight are business. JETSTAR is the vacation market so they could definately offer it another market differentiator...