Qatar Airways Makes Aviation History with World’s First Starlink-Equipped Boeing 777

Qatar Airways made history by launching the world’s first Boeing 777 equipped with Starlink high-speed internet, offering passengers free connectivity from gate to gate. The airline plans to expand the service across its fleet by 2025, reaffirming its leadership in aviation technology.


23 October 2024 – Qatar Airways has reached a significant milestone in in-flight technology by operating the world’s first Boeing 777 equipped with Starlink internet services, during a flight from Doha to London on 22 October 2024. This marks a leap forward in aviation connectivity, reinforcing Qatar Airways’ position as a leader in advanced in-flight services.

As the largest airline in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to adopt this technology, Qatar Airways now offers passengers free, high-speed, low-latency internet, courtesy of SpaceX’s Starlink. This service is available throughout the flight, from gate to gate, allowing passengers to stay connected, stream entertainment, or work efficiently while flying at 35,000 feet.

In 2024, the airline exceeded its initial target of three Starlink-equipped aircraft by upgrading 12 Boeing 777-300s with this cutting-edge technology. Qatar Airways plans to equip its entire Boeing 777 fleet with Starlink by 2025, one year ahead of schedule, with Airbus A350 aircraft set to receive the service by summer 2025.

Qatar Airways’ Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, expressed pride in the achievement, stating: “This milestone underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aviation. With Starlink on board, we are redefining the passenger experience by providing seamless, high-speed internet that enhances every journey.”

Developed by SpaceX, Starlink offers a satellite-based internet service that ensures reliable, fast internet access globally, including over oceans and remote areas previously unreachable. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk highlighted that Starlink’s performance will continue to improve as the technology evolves.

In this industry-first initiative, Qatar Airways has achieved several groundbreaking accomplishments, including being the first airline globally to equip a wide-body Boeing 777 with Starlink, and the first to do so in the MENA region. The airline’s collaboration with Starlink is expected to elevate its award-winning on-board experience further, setting new standards in in-flight connectivity and service excellence.

Author: Terry KS

Share This Post On