Thumbs up for WiFi tests on AirAsia

PETALING JAYA: Passengers will soon be able to enjoy WiFi services on board AirAsia flights.

The low-cost airline said it had activated its on-board WiFi testing ahead of the scheduled launch at the end of the year.

A range of products, including instant messaging, emails and content streaming, would gradually be made available on all its flights, which carry the AK code, and would later be available throughout the AirAsia Group, the carrier said in a statement yesterday.

A group of 120 AirAsia Allstar volunteers boarded a test flight yesterday to conduct the first user acceptance testing on the Wi-Fi service.

The group reported positive results for their tests on three instant messaging services – LINE, WhatsApp and WeChat.

During the flight, they shared live updates on the company’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts.

AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said it would be the first on-board WiFi product in the world with an affordable pricing system.

Fernandes added that this was one of the many initiatives the company was rolling out to boost its ancillary income per passenger spent to RM60.

AirAsia said 60 guests on each flight would be given the opportunity to participate in the “free user test” for the next two months.