Qatar Airways has announced several enhancements to its IFE system, including a new high-speed broadband service which it says will allow passengers to “stream content and browse the internet with the same speed and efficiency as if they were on the ground”.

The airline says it will be the first Middle Eastern carrier to offer high-speed broadband in-flight, with the new Imarsat GX Aviation service initially being made available on its B777 and A350 aircraft.

In addition Qatar Airways is relaunching its Oryx One IFE system, adding a new graphic user interface “for improved usability”, and a new mobile app will allow passengers to browse trailers of in-flight movies, plan their on-board viewing, and read a selection of magazines and newspapers while waiting to board.

Customers in the carrier’s new Q Suite business class, will also be able to compile a viewing list, and then transfer it onto their IFE screen via the mobile app using NFC technology.

Finally a new Qatar Airways website will go live in early May, featuring more than 2,000 new destination and fleet images, as well as 400 videos.

Earlier today Business Traveller confirmed that the carrier is to launch flights between Cardiff and Doha, one of 12 new routes announced for 2018.

qatarairways.com