Qantas launched inflight WiFi on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, enabling connectivity on Australian domestic flights. Available in beta mode on the 737, the launch marks the start of WiFi rollout across 80 Qantas aircraft due for completion by the end of 2018.

Broadband providers Viasat and Nbn’s Sky Muster satellite service offers WiFi speed up to 10 times faster than other onboard providers using idle data capacity. The signal reaches the aircraft as it flies through satellites’ 101 spot beams across Australia.

“Inflight WiFi has been on our wish list for quite a while, but the sheet size of Australia meant it was hard to offer a service that was fast and reliable. The Nbn has made it possible and we’re really pleased to be able to tap into this service,” said Alan Joyce, chief executive officer, Qantas. “The technology we’re using on board this 737 is a generation ahead of what most airlines around the world have and there’s a fair amount of complexity involved. That’s why we’ve installed it on one aircraft for the first few months until we’ve finished fine tuning and are ready to roll out to the rest of the domestic fleet.”

Passengers stepping onboard the aircraft can connect their laptop, tablet or smartphone to a WiFi hotspot and jump online for a broadband experience good enough for streaming movies and live TV. Netflix and Spotify are now available with Foxtel and Stan to follow in the coming weeks. Voice calls are not permitted.

Qantas is positioning this three-month trial as a beta test for travelers to assess traffic loads and other real-world factors before locking down the WiFi for installation across the rest of its domestic fleet.