Laptop power, in-flight internet coming to Qantas

Those already giddy about their 2008 trip to Down Under should now pick up the phone and do whatever it takes to get on one of Qantas' forthcoming A380s or revamped 747-400s, as both planes will reportedly feature in-flight WiFi and laptop power. As if that weren't enough, the new A380s will even dole out power sockets to those in economy class, and while the in-flight entertainment system may be preferred by your offspring, we know you'll greatly appreciate the internet access and seat-mounted USB / Ethernet ports. Currently, Qantas has yet to divulge exactly how much these luxuries will run you per flight, and while there's still a few months remaining before any passengers are faced with such comforts while flying Qantas, we can't help but yearn for a first-class ticket complete with a 17-inch widescreen LCD. Hit the read link for a few more snapshots and the full rundown of extras.

[Pedro @ Jul 24th 2007 10:42AM]

And they'll flog you a cat5e cable for only $25!

[ventivent @ Jul 24th 2007 11:25AM]

Ahh Quantas...Rainman was right.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 24th 2007 11:26AM]

What's wrong with that picture?

A: The guy's enjoying the inflight movie. Though given the generous amount of wine shown, perhaps he's just in a drunken euphoria.

[paloooz @ Jul 24th 2007 11:41AM]

So Tom Cruise flies Quantas?

[hoob @ Jul 24th 2007 1:38PM]

No. That's obviously Josh Hartnett.

[capagotks @ Jul 25th 2007 6:36AM]

FUCK SPELL IT RIGHT! Q A N T A S

IT STANDS FOR "QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY AERIAL SERVICES" hence no U after Q

[ralphg @ Jul 24th 2007 11:47AM]

Air Canada already has jets that provide 110v power and entertainment systems for everyone in economy class. There is one 110V outlet per three seats. The entertainment systems provide about 40 movies, tv shows, etc. There is also a plug that lookes like USB, but I couldn't get it to work -- a future game controller, perhaps?

A problems with the system: it crashes mid-flight, so then you have to fast forward through an hour's worth of movie to get back to watching. After it was rebotted, it crashed a couple more times.

[tester223 @ Jul 24th 2007 12:51PM]

yeah - i flew AC a few months ago with the 110v power sockets in the seat back ... what a joy being able to watch what i wanted on the laptop for the whole flight without having to turn the brightness right down ... now if only all flights had this i could ditch all those spare batteries that i have to lug around everytime i fly.

found the same as mentioned with the usb ports ... couldn't get them to charge anything i had with me.

[Mac User @ Jul 24th 2007 11:48AM]

All those savy ports huh? Will the hatches be upgraded too? What happens when you all crash and the others kill off some of your people? That alone would suck. Then, finally opening a hatch and finding out that you can't plug in your laptop, that would be the last straw.

[Tim @ Jul 24th 2007 11:56AM]

If we had a blender, we could make smoothies! (Name the reference, win absolutely nothing!)

[randomguy132 @ Jul 24th 2007 12:39PM]

Enemy of the State? I know the bad guys steal Will Smith's blender and make smoothies.

[jon @ Jul 24th 2007 12:03PM]

Is that tom cruise

[Boyd @ Jul 24th 2007 12:34PM]

Emirates already has over 600 channels, multi-plug power ports, SMS, Phones in each seat, you can call other seats and send them SMS messages and on the the A340-500 they are adding wireless internet. This is in all three classes in their ICE system.

http://emirates.com/a340/intro.asp

[Bart @ Jul 24th 2007 9:18PM]

There are phones in each seat, so you can call other passengers, in Qantas too.

[fahnboi @ Jul 24th 2007 1:01PM]

anyone else curious about the purpose of the USB port? i'm assuming ethernet is an alternative to wifi, but USB? is this to plug my thumb drive into the airplane mainframe so i can download blackbox data?

[Arnie @ Jul 24th 2007 1:05PM]

No it is recharge portable devices through the USB port.It only acts as a power port and not as a data port.

[Ned @ Jul 24th 2007 1:17PM]

Laptop power in economy sounds fantastic although I'm just wondering if they're going to do something about one's inability to open a 15" (let alone 17") laptop more than half way, especially when the person in front is reclined.

Not only that, with the ability to play content out to the entertainment system I'm just wondering how long it's going to take for the first passenger to be told to cease and desist from playing their (or Pamela Anderson's) XXX-rated home movies through the system.

[Evan Brom @ Jul 24th 2007 1:36PM]

Qantas is great, I once took them for a short flight from Melbourne to Sydney and they managed 2 round of drink service (alcohol included) and a meal in about an hour. Compared to a short flight in the us you are lucky to get a drink of soda for free.

[Centurionone @ Jul 24th 2007 4:32PM]

No Evan, it is not about the greatness of Qantas..It is the crappiness of the US domestic flights..Even the PS service from LA to NY on United left me unimpressed especially for the price they are asking...You guys are getting short changed!!!!

[OddManOut @ Jul 24th 2007 4:18PM]

"No it is recharge portable devices through the USB port.It only acts as a power port and not as a data port."

That's too bad. It would be nice to just plug in a 2gb thumdrive and watch my own DIVX rips on the in-seat display. That way I wouldn't have to carry on my laptop. Not that my SigIII or Fujitsu 1120 are really all that burdensome...

[balls @ Jul 24th 2007 4:41PM]

Awesome! So I can have wifi while sitting with 524 other passengers.

Thanks but no thanks...

[Pat @ Jul 24th 2007 4:53PM]

Umm Air New Zealand (www.airnz.co.nz who fly out of Sna Fran, LA and Vancouver) have had in seat power, video/music on demandfor eons... Better still Air NZ's business class leaves Qantas's for dead so this story isn't really news is it????

[Raju Vegesna @ Jul 24th 2007 6:20PM]

This is already available in Singapore Airlines.
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/economyclass/seatfeatures.jsp

[stellie @ Jul 24th 2007 6:28PM]

Let us not forget Lufstansa airlines. Flight from D.C. to Germany - in flight wifi to everyone. a nominal charge of $9.00(US) for 4 hours.

"local" access to bbc headlines, lufstansa and United info was free.

Definately a productive 8 hrs flt time with email and chat with corp offices.

BIG QUESTION IS - when will US domestic carriers get with the program? in-flight broadband is here, possible and demand is evident.

[thewinchester @ Jul 24th 2007 9:50PM]

Slight issue... the seat depicted in this story is a premium economy seat, and not regular economy as suggested.

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/company/A380 (Go to Experience > Premium Economy to check it out)