Fresh off winning the prestigious 2025 Skytrax The Best Airlines in the World award, Qatar Airways has solidified its position as a tech leader in the aviation industry by officially completing the installation of Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi systems on its fleet of 54 Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft. This milestone makes Qatar Airways the first airline in the world to implement this technology, earning it the title of the operator with the largest number of Starlink-equipped wide-body planes globally. It is also the only airline in the Middle East and North Africa to offer this cutting-edge service.
Starlink, developed by the satellite internet service provider SpaceX, offers low latency and ultra-fast transmission capabilities. Its latest application with Qatar Airways ensures that all passengers—whether they are in business class or economy—can enjoy free Wi-Fi connectivity of up to 500 Mbps throughout their journey. Whether streaming videos, gaming online, making video calls, or handling cloud documents and instant meetings, passengers can experience a level of stability and speed comparable to home or even enterprise-level networks, bringing the in-flight experience closer to the modern expectation of a connected lifestyle.
Originally, the installation plan was expected to take two years to complete, but it was ultimately finished in just nine months, nearing 50% ahead of schedule. Qatar Airways noted that the key to accelerating this process was reducing the installation time for each aircraft from three days to just 9.5 hours, ensuring that the entire project was completed quickly without disrupting daily flight operations. This level of efficiency also highlights their strong commitment to customer service and innovative technology.
The Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized that the introduction of Starlink marks a significant leap in the brand’s strategic investment, aiming to redefine passenger expectations of air travel. He added that with the Boeing 777 fleet’s systems fully in place, Qatar Airways will next install the same technology on its Airbus A350 fleet, with hopes to complete the deployment within the next year.
As of now, Qatar Airways has operated over 15,000 flights equipped with Starlink since October 2024, bringing cutting-edge connectivity technology to long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. These flights span their extensive network of over 170 destinations worldwide, serving both business and leisure markets, and further extending the seamless connectivity experience to global travelers.
In recent years, Qatar Airways has consistently invested in technological upgrades, and the introduction of Starlink technology undoubtedly reinforces its commitment to providing top-notch customer service and experiences. Whether for professionals frequently traveling to business hubs or families seeking a stable entertainment experience, this improvement brings tangible convenience and value.
Regarding the planned installation project for the Airbus A350, the officials emphasized that they will implement the same high-efficiency strategy to complete the system deployment in the shortest time possible, gradually expanding to more routes. In the future, passengers flying with Qatar Airways will no longer need to worry about losing internet connectivity mid-flight; whether for work, communication, or leisure, they can enjoy seamless connectivity.
As for the charging aspect, Qatar Airways has announced that flights equipped with Starlink technology will offer complimentary Wi-Fi service to all classes of passengers, without the need for any additional fees or registration processes. This makes high-quality connectivity more accessible and user-friendly.
