Qatar Airways has announced the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi on three of its Boeing 777-300 aircraft by the last quarter of this year.
This marks the initial phase of a comprehensive rollout strategy aimed at enhancing the passenger experience, with plans to extend SpaceX-powered technology across the entire modern fleet within the next two years.
The announcement was made at the Aircraft Interior Expo in Hamburg, Germany, in the presence of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, and Mr. Mike Nicolls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX.
Qatar Airways will offer passengers ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity of up to 500 megabits per second. This service will enable a variety of internet-based activities, including video streaming, online gaming, and web browsing, with a simple ‘one-click-access’.
“This exciting collaboration with Starlink is a testament to our customer-first mindset and commitment to elevating our passengers’ experience to unprecedented heights,” said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer in a statement. “We continue to further our innovative offerings to meet and exceed passengers’ expectations throughout their journey with Qatar Airways.”
This collaboration with Starlink, the world’s largest satellite internet constellation engineered and operated by SpaceX, marks a significant milestone for Qatar Airways. It is the first service of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and will further elevate the airline’s onboard experience.
“High-speed, low-latency internet is the future of aviation connectivity, and we’re excited to work with Qatar Airways to start flying Starlink on their fleet by the end of this year,” said Mike Nicolls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX. “Soon, all Qatar Airways passengers will be able to enjoy the benefits of the world’s best in-flight connectivity from the comfort of their seats.”
Qatar Airways is the largest airline to partner with Starlink to date, marking a big win for the satellite internet service.