Qatar Airways operates its first flight with Elon Musk’s Starlink Wi-Fi

Published: 23 October 2024

FROM THE SKIES: Qatar Airways CEO Badr Al Meer celebrated the milestone with a video call with Musk while 35,000 feet in the air. 

DOHA: Qatar Airways operated its first flight equipped with Elon Musk’s Starlink from Doha to London on Tuesday. 

Qatar Airways CEO Badr Al Meer celebrated the milestone with a video call with Musk while 35,000 feet in the air. 

This milestone establishes Qatar Airways as an industry leader in bringing advanced technology on board. The airline is the largest and first carrier in the MENA region to offer passengers Starlink ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet.

Starlink is free to all passengers and operates from gate to gate.

The carrier said it plans to introduce 12 more Boeing 777s equipped with Starlink by the end of the year. It also aims to have Starlink on its entire 777 fleet by 2025 and will start installing the satellite-based service on its Airbus A350s by the summer of 2025. 

This significant move highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to bridging the gap between the skies and the ground by offering ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet, the airline said.

Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit that will provide passengers reliable, high-speed internet so they can stay connected with friends and family, stream their favourite entertainment, watch live sports, play online games, or work efficiently at 35,000 feet – all for free and with a simple ‘one-click-access’.

 Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “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 Starlink reliable, seamless internet on board, we are connecting people to the things they love the most even at 35,000 feet, making every journey with us a memorable one.”

“This news release was uploaded and dispatched from 35,000 feet using Starlink to mark the launch of Qatar Airways’ first Starlink-equipped commercial flight,” Qatar Airways said. 

Starlink has become an increasingly popular option for airlines because of its promise to provide more consistent service through satellite-based technologies. 

Lately, Starlink has inked high-profile partnerships with United Airlines and Air France. Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand, JSX, Tokyo-based Zipair and Latvia’s airBaltic also have deals with Starlink.  

The move to Starlink comes as carriers have slowly started making their in-flight Wi-Fi free.