News September 18, 2018

Music industry reacts to Qantas removing music from flights

Yesterday, it was revealed that Qantas would be axing all music services from their domestic, and some international flights. It was confirmed that Radio stations, playlists and CD library collections have all been removed from Qantas flights and subsequently been replaced with two podcast channels.

Understandably, the music industry was pretty miffed about the entire situation. Taking to Twitter to express their vexations. Here are some key figures reactions.

Qantas says no-one listens to their music channels/selections. The lack lustre curation of music focused audio/video could be the cause! @Qantas we'd love to talk to you about taking Aussie music to the world – get onboard! https://t.co/QFSmoYmk4m via @AustFreqFlyer
— Dean Ormston (@deanapra) September 17, 2018

Disappointing mate. Especially in light of one of the world’s biggest pop stars Troye Sivan saying he discovered Aussie fave Gordi via Qantas in flight radio…some reading material for Q below https://t.co/ftQFHpPKsM
— Adrian McGruther ::|| su:ku:ya (@sagebass) September 17, 2018

So @Qantas have axed music from in-flight entertainment because "nobody listens". I would like to fact check this because actually, 6 people (including myself) do! Bring back the muuuuuusic QF!!!! pic.twitter.com/9ugQfNEt16
— Bridget Hustwaite (@BHustwaite) September 17, 2018

We’re an Australian band that would love your support @Qantas. We know it’s in you to rethink this decision…And we have just the song for your music relaunch campaign. It’s called Get On Board – https://t.co/yXyaBaFMmB https://t.co/z7E4Dy3Sr3
— Pirra (@Pirramusic) September 17, 2018

APRA have released a statement addressing Qantas’ decision:

“While programming of in flight content is a matter for Qantas, we are deeply disappointed that music, and Australian music in particular, will not feature on in flight entertainment on domestic flights. In their role as the national carrier Qantas have the opportunity to literally carry Australian stories in Australian voices to the world via their customers, and tell those stories to music loving Aussies as well. Australia is a music nation, and our year on year revenue stats show there is an increasing appetite for local music both here and abroad.

As APRA AMCOS Ambassador Amba Shepherd tweeted ‘Australian music and Qantas belong together. Such a great opportunity for music discovery and supporting our arts.’

The opportunities are endless – audio, video, podcasts, playlists, print, background music at departure gates, live music in the lounge – the key is focused curation across the brand. It’s a win/win/win scenario for Qantas, their customers and the music industry. It would be a shame not to reconsider this move, and the feedback we’ve received echoes that sentiment.”

It is evident that this decision has disappointed the music industry, and we all hope that Qantas reassess this move. In the meantime, we’ll leave you with their extremely personal, poignant response.