As Australian passengers return to the skies, regional and domestic airline Regional Express — known as Rex — has officially launched wireless entertainment and Intelsat 2Ku-powered inflight connectivity on its domestic Boeing 737-800NG twinjets.
Since late 2020, the carrier has been working closely with Sydney-headquartered content service provider Stellar Entertainment to ensure a seamless maiden journey into the IFE and connected aircraft experience for its newly-leased 737s, which had been previously leased by Virgin Australia.
“Besides proposing strategic and customized content solutions, Stellar offered assistance for the selection of the wireless IFE system and worked closely with Rex’s appointed OEM to ensure a smooth launch of the IFE product,” said the CSP, which in the past has aided Rex with its pre-recorded announcements and original boarding music.
As of 11 November, four of Rex’s six-strong fleet of 737NGs were fitted with Intelsat (formerly Gogo) 2Ku inflight connectivity, which transmits via Ku-band satellites. As the airline relaunches services and inaugurates new routes, its remaining 737NGs will be similarly equipped in a few months.
All Rex passengers can access the new IFE portal featuring inflight information, weather and a variety of free-of-charge TV shows and movies which Rex assures will be refreshed on a regular basis. Paid inflight Internet browsing and streaming tiers are available, though business class travelers can access complimentary Internet throughout their journey.
Wi-Fi is the latest addition to enhance Rex’s customer experience with passengers already availing of free checked baggage and onboard refreshments as part of a full service offering.
The carrier, which is now competing with Qantas and Virgin Australia, lays claim to being the only airline in Australia that offers a COVID Refund policy for new bookings, “which guarantees full refunds for any passenger affected by COVID-related cancellations, rescheduling, border closures and travel restrictions”. Virgin Australia, a previous 2Ku customer which is now under new ownership, has not reactivated its inflight Wi-Fi.
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Featured image credited to Robert Myers (CC-BY-SA 3.0 AU)