No downtime ... Staying connected to the internet on flights could increase productivity on business trips
WI-FI has become the new battleground in the travel industry with everyone from airlines to cruise ships seeking to get the jump on rivals with around-the-clock connectivity.
Qantas and Virgin Australia are expected to announce the addition of in-flight internet next year in order to compete with overseas carriers and keep the majority of customers happy.
Asia Pacific region Vice President of satellite giant Inmarsat, Bill Peltola, confirmed Australian airlines were “very actively looking at what they need to do to provide the right type of connectivity to their passengers”.
Staying connected ... Australian airlines are under increasing pressure to catch up to international counterparts and provide in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
“Australian carriers aren’t any different to others, and everyone is moving in this direction,” Mr Peltola said.
“It’s just a question of what type of service is needed — what’s the business model, what’s the price point that will be supported. The whole industry is very active, including Australia.”
He said staying connected in the air was becoming as much a part of flying as in flight entertainment.
“The aeroplane manufacturers are very much all over this, their customers are telling them “we want this installed at the factory”,” Mr Peltola said.
Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said the airline had led the way with in-flight Wi-Fi and it was now looking to expand the options available to passengers.
Working around the clock ... In-flight Wi-Fi has faced some resistance from business people. Picture: QantasSource:News Limited
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has also indicated in-flight Wi-Fi is very much on the airline’s radar despite a trial three years ago finding most passengers weren’t interested.
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan said the importance of internet access to travellers could not be overstated.
“Our view is that providing free wi-fi is a commercial decision, but something operators should strongly consider — as a way of helping promote their industry and their own business,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“The reality is that most people today travel with connectable devices, and want to share their experiences — Wi-Fi allows them to do this.”
Cruise ships are also racing to improve connectivity to provide a more reliable and less expensive service to passengers.
All at sea ... Cruise ship passengers see no reason to disconnect when they’re at sea. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied
A spokesman for the Cruise Lines International Association, said members recognised travellers wanted to stay connected.
“Cruise lines globally have made major technological strides to offer our travellers the change to stay connected while enjoying a cruise vacation and costs are steadily declining,” he said.
A survey by cruise portal CruiseAway found passengers would be willing to pay up to $15 a day for internet access.
Many ships charge considerably more than that, with costs as high as $55 an hour on Norwegian Cruise Lines, and $45 an hour on Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Lines.
Others, including P & O charge by the minute at on board “internet hubs”. Carnival Cruise Lines offers guests the chance to tweet, Facebook and Instagram for a flat fee of around $10 a day.
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