Qatar Airways has taken a pioneering step in aviation connectivity, debuting SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi service on one of its Boeing 777 aircraft this past Tuesday.
This inaugural flight from Doha to London marked the first time passengers on the Gulf airline could access Starlink’s satellite-based, high-speed internet, part of a larger initiative to integrate Starlink across Qatar Airways’ fleet.
In a post on X, Starlink celebrated the successful launch, stating, “Starlink is now live on a 777 for the first time and will soon be available for all passengers flying on @QatarAirways!” Qatar Airways confirmed the launch in a press release, highlighting its status as the “largest and first carrier in the MENA region to offer passengers Starlink ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet.”
This milestone places Qatar Airways among a select group of airlines—like United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Air France, and Air New Zealand—that have partnered with Starlink for onboard Wi-Fi, a service also available on some cruise lines.
Onboard for the debut call utilizing the Starlink connection were Elon Musk and Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer, who communicated live from the air. Musk expressed confidence in Starlink’s future potential, saying, “I think you’ll find it just gets better and better,” signaling SpaceX’s commitment to advancing Starlink’s reliability and speed over time.
Qatar Airways has ambitious plans to expand the Starlink service. The airline has increased its initial target to install Starlink on a dozen of its Boeing 777-300 aircraft by year-end, up from the original goal of three.
By 2025, Qatar Airways intends to offer Starlink Wi-Fi on all of its Boeing 777 aircraft, with installation on Airbus A350 jets expected to follow that summer. The airline’s broader fleet includes a range of Airbus and Boeing models, indicating the potential for even wider Starlink integration across its planes in the future.
Mike Nicolls, Starlink’s VP of Engineering, highlighted the collaboration with Qatar Airways as a move toward the future of air travel, noting that “high-speed, low-latency internet is the future of aviation connectivity.”
Starlink’s satellite internet, currently serving millions of users in over 100 countries, is designed to offer seamless global coverage, transforming connectivity standards across industries, from aviation to maritime travel.
