Qantas have confirmed it has axed radio and on-demand music from inflight entertainment on domestic flights because less than 10% of customers use the channels.
As Australian Frequent Flyer reported yesterday, radio stations, music playlists and CD library collections have been removed from domestic flights following a comprehensive review of Australia's flag carrier.
"Our research showed on average less than ten percent of customers per flight were tuning into the radio and music channels," a Qantas spokesperson said in a statement given to The Music today.
"It also indicated that many passengers on both domestic and international flights bring their own device with music already downloaded.
"On domestic flights, the large majority of customers are tuning into premiere movies and TV box sets, so that is where we are investing and continuing to grow our film and TV library. We will continue to offer our full library of radio programs and on-demand music albums on international services. Podcasts and audiobooks are still available on domestic flights.
"We have exclusive offers with Apple Music for our customers to download their favourite songs; they can be redeemed through the Qantas App or on domestic flights with Wi-Fi."
The news comes only a few weeks after Australian pop star Troye Sivan joined The Music Podcast, where he revealed his collaboration with fellow Aussie Gordi on his new album, Bloom, actually began after he heard the Sydney artist's music on a Qantas flight.
"I was on a Qantas flight and I fell asleep with the headphones on and it was like, Qantas radio or whatever, and I remember waking up from my sleep being like, 'Whose voice is in my ears right now?'" Sivan said.
"I didn't have internet so I was, like, trying to figure out what she was saying and write down lyrics so that I could Google it once I landed."
Check out the full podcast with Sivan above.
