Qatar Airways Soars Ahead with Starlink-Equipped Fleet

Qatar Airways has improved in-flight connectivity by operating the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft from Doha to London. This milestone solidifies Qatar Airways’ position as an industry leader, offering passengers ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet access throughout their journey.

A New Era of In-Flight Connectivity

Voted the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2024, Qatar Airways is the largest and first carrier in the MENA region to provide Starlink internet. This service is free for all passengers and operates seamlessly from gate to gate, allowing travellers to stay connected, stream entertainment, enjoy online gaming, or work efficiently at 35,000 feet.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to launch our first Starlink-equipped flight, proving once again why Qatar Airways is at the forefront of the aviation industry. By providing reliable, seamless internet on board, we connect people to the things they love the most, even at 35,000 feet, making every journey with us memorable.”

Ambitious Roll-Out Plans

The airline plans to exceed its initial target of three Starlink-equipped aircraft by upgrading 12 Boeing 777-300s with this innovative service by the end of 2024. Qatar Airways has committed to equipping its entire Boeing 777 fleet with Starlink by 2025, one year ahead of schedule, with the Airbus A350 fleet following in the summer of 2025.

Industry-First Achievements

With the launch of its first Starlink-equipped flight, Qatar Airways has achieved several industry-firsts, including:

• World’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing Widebody 777
• First Starlink on Qatar Airways passenger aircraft
• First Starlink-equipped passenger aircraft in the MENA region
• First Starlink Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for a Boeing aircraft
• Largest passenger aircraft equipped with Starlink
• Longest-range Starlink-equipped passenger aircraft

The Future of In-Flight Internet

Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit. This technology provides reliable, high-speed internet access around the world, including over oceans and remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk commented, “Over time, you’ll find it just gets better and better. This is the minimum, and it only gets better from here.”

A Strategic Initiative

This collaboration with Starlink marks a new milestone for Qatar Airways, further elevating the airline’s unparalleled on-board experience. As the first-ever service of its kind in the MENA region, this strategic initiative highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to bridging the gap between the skies and the ground by offering ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet.

Stay tuned for more updates as Qatar Airways continues to lead the way in in-flight connectivity, ensuring every journey is as connected and enjoyable as possible.