Qatar Airways becomes first MENA airline to roll out Starlink wifi

Image credit: Qatar Airways/X

Qatar Airways has announced a significant update surrounding its tie-up with Elon Musk’s Starlink as it looks to become the largest airline to integrate the satellite-beamed high-speed, low-latency internet service into its fleet.

This move aims to enhance the Qatari flag carrier’s in-flight experience with ultra-fast Wi-Fi connectivity, offering speeds up to 500 megabits per second on select aircraft and routes, stated the airline in its release.

Qatar Airways raises in-flight experience to new heights!

We are proud to be the largest global airline and the first in the MENA region to collaborate with @SpaceX @Starlink

This complimentary, ground-breaking service will enhance our passengers’ onboard experience with… pic.twitter.com/iJGxL05S8l

— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 29, 2024

While the partnership was first unveiled in October 2023, the new update provides a timeline of the rollout of the new service.

According to the official statement by Qatar Airwars, the initial phase will see three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with Starlink’s technology by the last quarter of 2024.

Following which, the airline plans to expand this service across its entire fleet within the next two years, ensuring all passengers can enjoy seamless internet access for activities like video streaming, gaming, and web browsing.

Starlink on-board Qatar Airways

The new timeline was formally announced at the Aircraft Interior Expo in Hamburg, Germany.

Qatar Airways group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, and Mike Nicolls, vice president of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, were present at the event.

Al Meer emphasised the airline’s dedication to enhancing passenger experience through innovative technologies. “This exciting collaboration with Starlink is a testament to our customer-first mindset and commitment to elevating our passengers’ experience to unprecedented heights,” Al Meer stated.

Nicolls echoed this sentiment, highlighting the future of aviation connectivity, “High-speed, low-latency internet is the future of aviation connectivity, and we’re excited to work with Qatar Airways to start flying Starlink on their fleet by the end of this year.”

Enhanced passenger experience

Currently, Qatar Airways’ fleet is primarily equipped with Inmarsat’s GX aviation technology, known as “Super Wi-Fi,” which charges $10 per flight without data caps.

Some aircraft also use OnAir Wi-Fi, which is significantly slower. The introduction of Starlink’s service will provide a substantial upgrade, offering up to 500 megabits per second per plane, with easy ‘one-click’ access for passengers.

This partnership is the first of its kind in the MENA region, with Starlink’s satellite internet constellation engineered and operated by SpaceX. The initiative underscores Qatar Airways’ position as a leader in adopting cutting-edge technology to improve passenger experience.

Qatar Airways joins a select group of airlines partnering with Starlink, including Hawaiian Airlines, airBaltic, and Air New Zealand. The collaboration signifies a broader trend in the aviation industry towards providing high-speed internet to passengers, meeting the growing demand for connectivity.

The rollout plan indicates that by 2026, the entire Qatar Airways fleet will be equipped with Starlink’s high-speed internet, potentially extending to late 2026 depending on the project’s progress.

As Qatar Airways continues to innovate and enhance its service offerings, passengers can look forward to an unparalleled in-flight experience, marked by faster and more reliable internet access.

Read: SpaceX’s new Starlink satellites beam phone signals from space