New Qantas IFE App Boasts More Accessibility Features, Picture-in-Picture, and a Kids Mode
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After 12 months of development involving various design iterations, refinements and customer testing, Qantas has launched Version 5.0.0 of its Qantas Entertainment App on iOS, which passengers use to stream content to their personal electronic devices during flight.
The app was originally launched in 2018 and has been updated regularly since to improve the digital experience for passengers together with partners like Viasat, which provides the carrier’s in-flight connectivity service.
“Viasat has been a key partner since we launched fast and free Wi-Fi seven years ago. They’ve collaborated with us over the years, helping us evolve the look, feel and capability of our app,” explained Qantas Product Manager – Digital Inflight Experience Ana Whale.
However, the new version of the app was developed in-house from the ground up. Whale continued, “With version 5.0.0, we’ve taken the leap to develop our own standalone product, while continuing to work closely with [Viasat].”
The goal, she clarified, was to ensure the Qantas Entertainment App integrates smoothly with the airline’s broader suite of entertainment and travel apps to offer passengers a more intuitive, seamless, and enjoyable experience similar to the streaming services they use at home.
In a LinkedIn post announcing the news, Whale highlighted the app’s extensive range of features, including faster Wi-Fi login, a refreshed captive portal and dark mode.
“We’ve already got more features lined up for future releases across both platforms in the coming months.”
There is also a Kids Mode that “means parents can hand over their devices worry-free,” stated Whale. “The mode curates age-appropriate content and locks down the interface so children can’t accidentally exit or browse beyond their section.”
Expanding on the most exciting elements of the app for APEX Insights, Whale said, “Picture-in-picture is a real game changer. Customers can now watch a movie while messaging friends, browsing the internet, or even keeping an eye on our immersive 3D map from FlightPath3D – all without leaving the entertainment experience behind.”
Furthermore, she highlighted a smarter suite of accessibility-focused features, noting, “The app now better supports screen readers and dynamic text scaling, and customers no longer need headphones to play back content, giving more flexibility in how they enjoy entertainment.”
Whale confirmed the Android version of the app should be available by the end of this month. “This is only the beginning: we’ve already got more features lined up for future releases across both platforms in the coming months,” she concluded.