﻿ Virgin Aus trialling in-flight Wi-Fi: report | ZDNet

Virgin Aus trialling in-flight Wi-Fi: report

Summary: Virgin Australia is reportedly testing an in-flight Wi-Fi media streaming service for its passengers.


John Borghetti

Virgin Australia chief, John Borghetti
(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)


Virgin Australia later confirmed to ZDNet Australia that the Wi-Fi service currently in the testing phase won't be used for internet access, rather it will be used for the streaming of in-flight entertainment, music and media.


Virgin Australia's testing of Wi-Fi streaming gear comes as US carrier United Airlines rolls out similar technology to avoid refitting its entire fleet with costly, new in-flight entertainment players. Passengers will be able to stream movies, TV shows and music right to their Wi-Fi-enabled tablet, laptop or phone with the United Wi-Fi service.





Updated at 4:26pm, 2 September 2011: added that Virgin Australia is testing the Wi-Fi service for media streaming, rather than internet access.

Topics: Laptops, Mobility, Networking, Travel Tech, Tech Industry, Wi-Fi

Luke Hopewell

About Luke Hopewell




1 comment
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  • Hey Luke, I reconfirmed with Virgin yesterday that they definitely -are- looking at Wi-Fi for internet access.

    As I understand it the only confusion was over the word "trialling" vs "evaluating". Virgin said it was evaluating inflight internet systems and has planes with satellite connectivity in its fleet now, but does not have any actively hooked up to inflight internet yet.

    How they managed to convey the message to ZDNet that the Wi-Fi was for inflight entertainment only, I don't know, but that is definitely not right.