Qatar Airways has launched the first Boeing 777 aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink in-flight connectivity, marking a world-first flight from Doha to London on October 22.
This milestone also marks the first Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) issued for Starlink integration on a Boeing aircraft, introducing an ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet experience for passengers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Qatar Airways initially aimed to have three Starlink-equipped aircraft operating by the end of 2024 but now expects to have 12 Boeing 777-300s upgraded with the technology by year’s end.
The airline plans to extend Starlink across its entire Boeing 777 fleet of 64 aircraft by 2025, with its Airbus A350 fleet of 58 planes scheduled for connectivity upgrades by mid-2025.
Powered by SpaceX’s Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, this in-flight service provides high-speed, reliable internet access capable of streaming entertainment, live sports, and supporting online work. The service is free for all Qatar Airways passengers and operates gate-to-gate with a simple, one-click access.
“This milestone, paired with our commitment to rapidly roll out Starlink across our entire modern fleet, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of an in-flight experience that surpasses traditional air travel,” commented Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group CEO. “By providing Starlink’s seamless internet on board, we’re connecting passengers to what they love most, even at 35,000 feet, making each journey with us memorable.”
Starlink’s advanced LEO satellites extend global connectivity, including over oceans and remote regions, an area where traditional Wi-Fi signals cannot reach. Qatar Airways plans to expand this enhanced connectivity across its entire fleet, delivering a more connected in-flight experience to passengers worldwide.
During the inaugural Starlink flight, Al-Meer placed a video call to Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, celebrating this advancement in aviation technology.