Qantas has signed a deal with global publishing platform PressReader to provide passengers with free in-flight access to thousands of newspapers and magazines on their digital devices.
Newspapers across Australia and the world will be some of almost 4,000 publications that passengers will be able to access from PressReader by using the Qantas app.
“This service is highly personalized to the individuals’ interests rather than what the airline chooses for reading material,” said Kristin Eberth, PressReader spokeswoman.
The newspaper and magazine titles will be made available as free downloads in the 12 hours before the flight is due to depart so that users can load up on reading material.
“It’s like having thousands of titles in your carry-on without the additional weight," Eberth told The Newspaper Works. "We were very cognizant of the challenges airlines face with respect to cost-reduction and service enhancements, so we developed a model that was geared specifically to them by leveraging airline apps, websites, lounges and loyalty programs, and by doing so we were very confident the model would work."
PressReader hosts digital facsimiles of newspapers and magazines from 100 countries in more than 60 languages. "We're experiencing tremendous growth," said chief commercial officer Igor Smirnoff. "In recent months we’ve added more than 1000 publications to our offering. PressReader is fast becoming a must-have travel companion so we hope Qantas customers enjoy it.”
The move comes just a couple of months after Qantas chose a new publisher for its in-flight magazine and online property The Australian Way. Gerry Reynolds’ company Medium Rare - launched in collaboration with News Corp’s magazine unit NewsLifeMedia - took over The Australian Way from long-time publisher Bauer Media after a review involving several agencies.
“In Medium Rare, we have chosen a content publishing house that will help us evolve Qantas The Australian Way publications with the changing media landscape and new in-flight technology,” Olivia Wirth, Qantas’ group executive of brand marketing, told Mumbrella.