QantasLink To Offer In-Flight Entertainment

QantasLink will soon offer all passengers complimentary in-flight entertainment options for the first time, as the regional carrier begins to roll out access through the new Qantas Entertainment app.

From September, passengers on QantasLink services will be able to access over 2,500 hours of movies and TV shows from their own device via the Qantas Entertainment app. The app also gives customers access to thousands of titles through its streaming partner Stan.

Inflight entertainment is heading beyond the black stump thanks to an upgrade of QantasLink aircraft to stream content to passengers’ digital devices.

The entertainment upgrade starts with one of the regional offshoot’s Airbus A320 this week and will be extended to all the regional carrier’s jets by mid-2022.

The upgrade will apply to more than 50 Boeing 717, Fokker 100, A320 and Alliance Airlines Embraer E190 aircraft.

It means passengers will be able to use the Qantas Entertainment app to stream more than 2500 hours of premiere movies, TV series and audiobooks to their device.

That includes exclusive TV shows and original films from streaming partner Stan.

The airline already offers streaming via the app on dual-cabin 717 aircraft as well as on the Qantas 737 and A330 fleets,

Passengers wanting an optimal experience need to remember to download the app from the Apple Store and Google Play prior to departure but the entertainment can also be accessed via a browser for anyone who forgets.

According to Qantas Group chief customer officer Stephanie Tully, the rollout will mean inflight entertainment will be available on up to 180 Qantas and QantasLink aircraft.

“Customers tell us they value being able to take time for themselves inflight to catch up on their favourite TV shows or watch movies they didn’t get to see at the cinema,” Tully said.

“This investment means more of our customers will have access to inflight entertainment, particularly when travelling to smaller capital cities and regional centres.

“In a normal year, our customers watch more than 20 million hours of movies and TV shows while flying with us, so we know our streaming service is incredibly popular, especially on longer domestic routes.”

Tully said she expected Australia’s vaccination rollout would see demand for travel quickly return as restrictions ease.

By Joe Cusmano