Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week

A new feature coming to international Qantas flights will roll out from next week – and there is even free access in economy.

Qantas will switch on “fast and free” Wi-Fi on some international flights for the first time next week.

news.com.au can confirm the eagerly-awaited roll out of free Wi-Fi in all cabins, including economy, will begin on routes to South East Asia.

While Qantas did not confirm which exact routes would be the first to have the Wi-Fi, the airline’s South East Asian services on the A330 (the first aircraft to have international Wi-Fi capabilities) include Hong Kong and Singapore.

‘Fast and free’ in-flight wi-fi will be switched on for flights heading to South East Asia on the A330 next week. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Next up on the roll out is trans-Tasman flights, with passengers flying to New Zealand from mid-2025 expected to have coverage.

Free in-flight Wi-Fi on was supposed to roll out on Qantas’ international fleet at the end of 2024, but was delayed.

Select international flights currently have Wi-Fi but only while flying over Australia.

In February last year, Qantas had revealed its A330, B787 and A380 fleets would progressively be retrofitted to enable connection to Viasat’s satellite network.

The A330-200LR installation program was built into the existing heavy maintenance schedule, while installation programs for the B787, A380 and A330-300s were due to commence from 2025.

New aircraft currently on order, including A321XLR, A350 and B787 fleets, will already be Wi-Fi capable when delivered.

The first A321XLR is scheduled to arrive in June and will allow for more non-stop routes. These aircraft will progressively replace Qantas’ Boeing 737s over the next 10 years.

But the 737s are also getting a makeover, including enabling free Wi-Fi. The first refurbished aircraft is expected to start flying from 2027.

“As we bring more new aircraft into our fleet, we are also making our existing aircraft look and feel like new,” Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said when announcing the refurbishment in February.

Qantas Group posted an underlying profit before tax of $1.39 billion for the first half of the financial year.

It is a 11 per cent increase compared to the same period of FY24.

The half yearly report ending December 31 also revealed the airline had a statutory profit after tax of $923 million, an increase of 6 per cent.

The airline cited its dual brand strategy with Qantas and Jetstar for the strong results, explaining premium and corporate travel remained strong for Qantas while Jetstar carried a record number of customers.