In-flight iPads From Qantas

Beginning in October 2011 Australian airline carrier Qantas will roll out a new trial programme offering iPads pre-loaded with television shows, movies, music, and more entertainment options for passengers riding the Boeing 767-300.

The programme is only going to be available to passengers riding the specific aircraft which will fly around Australia and on occassion make transcontinental flights.

They hope to eventually offer streaming movies and shows to passengers’ devices which will enable flyers to continue watch shows and movies even after landing.

The trial is set to last for six weeks and if proven a success the airline expects to expand the program to accomodate other devices such as the Android and other tablets.

For security reasons, each iPad is going to be “locked down,” bypassing the usual home screen in a similar manner to the iPads in Apple stores.

Alison Webster, the Qantas Executive Manager for Customer Experience says the devices will boot into the Q Streaming app, “so if anyone decides they want to ‘borrow’ one it won’t have any capability off the aircraft.”

The Q Streaming app is based on Lufthansa Systems’ BoardConnect technology, variations of which are also being used by Virgin America.

Passengers in business class will find that their iPad 2′s can also be used as a fold-down meal tray as well while other passengers will simply find their devices slipped into their seat pockets.

Qantas’ trial programme targets passengers however other airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines have already begun testing out the use of iPads preloaded with flight navigation for aircraft crews, specifically pilots.

The airline was recently found by the Dow Jones as the most sustainable airline in the world.

The Dow found it as one of only two airlines ranked on the Dow Jones World Sustainability Index.

Air France – KLM also took up spots on the index.

Olivia Wirth, the Qantas’ group executive for government and corporate affairs explained that the results stem from the carrier’s commitment to good corporate citizenship saying, ”Recognition by Dow Jones confirms that we are meeting our responsibilities to our customers, employees, the community, the environment and our shareholders.”

Current News:As of September 20 2011, 6000 passengers at city airports are currently affected by a strike by Qantas employees which include baggage handlers, carterers and freight staff who stopped working from the hours of 7.00am AEST.

Qantas has cancelled or delayed 55 flights and the carrier warns that there could be more problems over the next 48 hours due to administration bans.