QANTAS: A380s to get WiFi by 2027

But you will have to wait until early 2027. The A380s are scheduled to have their repeatedly delayed WiFi upgrade by then, but it’s slow Viasat not peppy Starlink. At least usage is free across classes.

Qantas has now installed satellite internet across its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet and most of its international Airbus A330s. Now, attention is turning to the ten A380 superjumbos, which operate some of Qantas’ longest and most prestigious routes.

According to Qantas International chief executive Cam Wallace, as quoted in ET, the carrier expects its entire international fleet to be Wi-Fi-enabled within nine months, which places completion around April 2027.

Passengers flying from Sydney to London via Singapore could stay online for most of the 22-hour journey, except for gaps due to satellite coverage or the stop at Changi Airport.

Better late than never

Originally the Qantas international WiFi rollout was timed to be completed by end of 2025. The current schedule of 2027 means a further nearly two-year delay.

Originally the A380s were planned to be WiFi upgraded during maintenance visits in the Middle East. Those plans changed, pushing the superjumbos further down the queue.

Retrofitting an A380 is apparently a more complext task than adding equipment to a newer Dreamliner. The aircraft requires an external antenna and protective radome, along with cabling and supporting hardware inside the fuselage.

Free Wi-Fi for every cabin

Qantas intends to keep the service free for all passengers. Once aboard an equipped aircraft, travellers connect to the “Qantas Free Wi-Fi” network and follow the prompts on the login page.

Actual speeds will depend on the route, satellite coverage and the number of passengers attempting to stream.

On Qantas 787 flights, recent reports record download speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to around 50 Mbps. North America seems to be better, as Viasat’s newer satellite capacity is available there.

That should be enough for messaging, web browsing and most streaming.

New satellite coverage over Asia-Pacific

What should improve performance is Viasat’s third ViaSat-3 satellite, launched on 29 April 2026.

That satellite should deliver up to one terabit per second of additional capacity across the Asia-Pacific. Despite its April launch date, it won’t enter service until later in 2026 following testing.

Qantas will be amongst the first airlines to use the new regional capacity. It will be a boon for the A380 network, which includes Singapore, London, Los Angeles, Dallas–Fort Worth and Johannesburg.

Don’t expect seamless coverage, however. Expect dead spots.

2PAXfly Takeout

Wi-Fi has become a basic expectation on long-haul flights rather than an exotic premium perk. Qantas has taken far too long to extend it to international routes, especially across the aircraft that operate some of its longest journeys.

Let’s hope Qantas and its suppliers can keep to the schedule and deliver what will now be considered a subpar service compared to the mounting number of airlines offering the superior Starlink service.