The Qantas fleet of A380 planes will offer live internet access from the second half of next year but the carrier will censor content more heavily than other airlines around the world, blocking out pornography and a host of other sites deemed "offensive".

Qantas originally intended to offer full internet connectivity on the A380s when they take to the skies from Monday but last month delayed those plans. It will instead initially offer only a limited selection of what it calls "cached internet content" and access to web-based email and chat services.

American Airlines, which launched its own in-flight internet services last month, was heavily criticised by the US Association of Professional Flight Attendants and lobby groups after passengers and attendants complained of people accessing inappropriate material.