Qatar Airways has set a new standard for in-flight connectivity by operating the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft on a flight from Doha to London on Monday, 22 October 2024. This milestone underscores Qatar Airways’ position as a global aviation leader and innovator, having been named the World’s Best Airline by SkyTrax 2024. As the largest carrier in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Qatar Airways is now the first to offer passengers Starlink’s ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet, free of charge, from gate to gate.
Passengers aboard the flight were treated to a seamless online experience, made possible by Starlink, the satellite internet service engineered by SpaceX. With free and unlimited access, passengers can now stay connected with friends and family, stream entertainment, watch live sports, play online games, or work efficiently—all from 35,000 feet.
By the end of 2024, Qatar Airways is set to equip 12 Boeing 777-300s with Starlink, surpassing its initial target of three aircraft. The airline has also committed to rolling out Starlink technology across its entire Boeing 777 fleet by 2025—one year ahead of schedule. The rollout will extend to the Airbus A350 fleet in the summer of 2025, further cementing the airline’s leadership in bringing cutting-edge technology to the skies.
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation operating in low Earth orbit (LEO). This innovative network provides high-speed, reliable internet even in remote areas such as oceans and previously unreachable zones, ensuring passengers can enjoy a connected journey no matter where they are flying.
Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, expressed his excitement about this groundbreaking achievement, stating: “We are thrilled to launch our first Starlink-equipped flight, proving once again why Qatar Airways is at the forefront of the aviation industry. This milestone, paired with our commitment to rapidly roll out Starlink across our entire modern fleet, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of offering passengers an in-flight experience that transcends the constraints of traditional air travel.”
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also weighed in, noting, “Over time, you’ll find it just gets better and better. This is the minimum, and it only gets better from here.”
Qatar Airways has achieved several industry firsts with this launch, including:
- World’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing Widebody 777
- First Starlink-equipped passenger aircraft in the MENA region
- Largest passenger aircraft equipped with Starlink
- Longest-range Starlink-equipped passenger aircraft
This historic collaboration between Qatar Airways and Starlink marks a major milestone in enhancing in-flight connectivity and redefining the passenger experience. The airline’s strategic partnership with SpaceX highlights its commitment to offering passengers the best on-board experience available, positioning it at the forefront of innovation in global air travel.
As Qatar Airways continues its Starlink roll-out across selected routes, passengers can look forward to even more routes offering seamless connectivity, elevating the already award-winning in-flight experience to unparalleled heights.
