Jetstar, the low-cost Qantas offshoot has signed a deal with Apple to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial iPads for its in-flight entertainment.

For a $10 rental, passengers will be able to rent the device on selected flights over 90 minutes inb length to watch new release movies, browse television programs, read an e-book, listen to music or play games. The airline is also looking at adding its in-flight magazine to the tablet.

Jetstar marketing general manager David May said the initial two-week trial would be on domestic flights longer than an hour. Thirty units would be on each test aircraft.

“If the trial works, we want to put them on every aircraft because they’re so much slimmer and lighter than our existing units,” he said. “It means we’ll be able to get more on and it means more people will be able to have the entertainment service.”

Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan said the airline was also anticipating a good response to the offering.

“Given the demand for the iPad so far, I anticipate it will have strong appeal amongst our passengers,” he said. “Based on demand for the iPads as part of the trial, we’ll be looking to roll out the devices across our entire domestic and international network later in the year.”