Austrian Airlines Launches On-board Wi-Fi with Free Trial

Effective immediately, Austrian Airlines passengers will be able to use their mobile devices on board to test the airline’s future Internet offering at no charge, an announcement by the carrier said on Wednesday.

At present, 10 of the 31 Austrian Airlines Airbus jets have already been equipped with Internet technology. A wireless Internet service has been activated on four of these planes for Austrian Airlines passengers to test the new system at no cost.

According to the carrier, the offering of Austrian Airlines and its technology partner Inmarsat is based on the most advanced broadband satellite technology (Ka band). This ensures reliable Internet coverage on short-haul and medium-haul flights on the basis of the Inmarsat network Global Xpress (GX).

Following the successful test phase, passengers will be able to choose from three different Internet rates: FlyNet Message (for e-mail and chat services) for 3 euros, FlyNet Surf (for surfing the Internet) for 7 euros and FlyNet Stream (for messaging, surfing and the ability for passengers to video to their device) at a price of 12 euros per flight. Sales will start in the first quarter of 2017.

In addition to Internet use, passengers will be able to access cost-free content online at any time such as travel guides, Austrian Airlines services and information about the carrier. In a second phase, Austrian Airlines will make its own, entertainment program available to passengers via the WLAN network in summer of 2017.

As requested by passengers themselves, it will still not be permitted to make calls on board.

Deutsche Telekom will operate as Austrian Airlines’ Internet service provider.