Qatar Airways has equipped 15 aircraft with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system, exceeding its initial target of 12 installations for 2024, as the Gulf carrier accelerates plans to outfit its entire Boeing 777 fleet with high-speed internet.
The Doha-based airline is pushing to complete Starlink installations across its Boeing 777 fleet by the second quarter of 2025, followed by its Airbus A350 aircraft in summer 2025, the airline told Arabian Business.
Qatar Airways, ranked as the world’s best airline by Skytrax in 2024, has become the world’s largest global carrier to offer Starlink’s satellite internet service, which provides gate-to-gate connectivity without requiring passenger login details.
“Our technical team is aggressively pushing to complete the installation of Starlink on the entire Boeing 777 fleet by Q2 2025,” a Qatar Airways spokesperson exclusively told Arabian Business.
Passengers have reported that the connection quality matches their home internet speeds, according to the airline, with users particularly praising the simplified one-click access that eliminates the need to enter personal details or seat numbers.
“Passengers have shared excellent feedback on Starlink, describing it as fast, reliable, and revolutionary,” the spokesperson said. “Many have remarked that the experience is comparable to high-speed Wi-Fi at home.”
The airline demonstrated the system’s capabilities earlier this month by hosting a Paris Saint-Germain press conference at 35,000 feet, showcasing the high-bandwidth connection that allows passengers to stream video, play online games and make video calls.
The service is being offered free of charge to passengers, contrasting with many competitors who maintain pay-to-use or limited-time WiFi models. The airline views this as critical to maintaining competitive advantage as business travel returns to record levels.
“Connectivity is now one of the valuable aspects of the passenger experience, particularly with the return of business travel,” the spokesperson added. “To stay competitive, airlines must view high-speed, free WiFi as essential to meet the modern traveller’s needs and expectations.”
SpaceX’s Starlink uses a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet connectivity, including over oceans and remote locations traditionally unreachable by conventional WiFi signals.
Qatar Airways first announced its Starlink partnership in October 2024, when it became the first carrier in the Middle East and North Africa region to offer the service.
“As the largest global airline to offer Starlink on board, Qatar Airways aims to inspire the aviation industry to embrace cutting-edge technology that prioritises passenger convenience,” the spokesperson said. “Rolling out Starlink on board our fleet proves that fast, reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury but a new standard for enhancing onboard experiences.”
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