Qatar Airways Launches Free High-Speed Wi-Fi with Starlink Partnership

Qatar Airways has partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet, marking a significant leap in in-flight connectivity. The airline debuted its first Boeing 777 equipped with Starlink’s internet on a flight from Doha to London, where Qatar Airways CEO Badr Al Meer demonstrated the milestone by making a video call with Musk while flying at 35,000 feet.

“We’re literally talking over Starlink right now – that’s super cool,” Musk remarked during the call, which was filmed and shared by the airline. He explained that the connection was maintained via Starlink’s satellite laser links to the aircraft.

This move positions Qatar Airways ahead of competitors, offering passengers free, high-speed internet, a sharp contrast to the slower, often restricted paid services available on many other airlines. Elon Musk also assured that the technology would only improve as new satellites are launched and software is upgraded.

The airline plans to equip 12 Boeing 777-300s Wi-Fi with Starlink by the end of 2024, with full coverage for its Boeing 777 fleet in 2025 and its Airbus A350s in the summer of 2025. This initiative makes Qatar Airways the first airline in the Middle East and North Africa to adopt Wi-Fi with Starlink service, which allows passengers to stream, message, and make calls seamlessly from gate to gate.

As global demand for air travel continues to grow, with a recent IATA report showing an 8.6% rise in passenger demand in August 2024 compared to the previous year, airlines are increasingly competing to offer superior services. Air New Zealand, for example, announced plans to introduce Starlink on its domestic flights by late 2024, reflecting a broader trend toward more reliable and fast in-flight internet access.