Qantas Tested Satellite Wi-Fi on Asia-Pacific Routes
The airline trialed new connectivity technology that delivers download speeds of up to 100Mbps to passengers.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Business Travel
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Qantas launched trials of its ViaSat-3 F3 satellite Wi-Fi technology on selected Asia-Pacific flights following the satellite going live in August 2026. The new network orbits 36,000km above Earth and provides passengers with download speeds ranging from 50Mbps to 100Mbps.
Why it matters
Reliable in-flight internet remains difficult in the Asia-Pacific region due to high demand concentrated in specific corridors. Qantas is utilizing advanced beamforming technology to concentrate bandwidth where needed most to solve these connectivity challenges.
The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite boasts a total throughput capacity of 1Tbps while orbiting 36,000km above Earth. During current trials, passengers have reported consistent download speeds between 50Mbps and 100Mbps.
The players
Qantas
This entity is the flag carrier airline of Australia and serves as the country's largest airline by fleet size and international flights.
ViaSat
This communications company specializes in providing global satellite broadband services and secure networking systems for commercial and government sectors.
The details
Qantas is leveraging the high-capacity ViaSat-3 F3 satellite to expand its in-flight internet capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. The airline currently employs a mix of connectivity solutions, utilizing ViaSat-3 F1 for North American routes and planning fleet-wide upgrades for its A380 aircraft by mid-2027.
Timeline
The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite went live in August 2026.
International Wi-Fi installations are scheduled for completion by mid-2027.
Travel Outlook
The deployment of the ViaSat-3 satellite constellation follows a pattern of iterative infrastructure upgrades across the global aviation sector. Airlines are increasingly adopting high-throughput satellites to meet the growing demand for consistent internet access on long-haul flagship routes.
Passengers on select Qantas Asia-Pacific routes can now access high-speed internet that supports standard streaming and work tasks during flights. Travelers should check flight amenities in advance, as the fleet-wide installation of this technology on A380s is still underway.
The takeaway
Reliable high-speed in-flight internet is becoming a standard expectation for international business travelers on major long-haul routes. Passengers can anticipate improved digital connectivity as airlines prioritize satellite upgrades to manage regional bandwidth demand.
Further reading
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