Qantas will live stream cricket to test in-flight Internet
Wi-Fi with wickets for matches in summer 2016-2017.
Qantas plans to run test broadcasts of cricket matches direct to some flights over the summer 2016-2017 cricket season, as part of the testing for its rollout of free in-flight Internet on all domestic services.
In-flight Internet for regional and international services is also a step closer, with Qantas saying it is in the "final stages of scoping options" to extend Wi-Fi access to those services.
The plans were revealed during Qantas' annual results announcement. The broadcasts will be organised in a partnership with Cricket Australia.
"A flight from Sydney to Perth should be enough time to catch an entire match of 20/20, which is fitting when you're flying on the Spirit of Australia," CEO Alan Joyce said. Partnerships with other content providers are also being explored.
In addition to the capital city domestic fleet, Qantas is now planning to add Wi-Fi to its 717, F100 and turboprop planes for regional areas, and its international fleet. For regional flights, it may be able to use the same NBN satellite capacity that is being used for the already-announced intra-capital services.
Virgin and Qantas are both planning to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi for domestic flights in 2017. Virgin hasn't yet confirmed any pricing plans.
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