Kuala Lumpur, July 14 – Qatar Airways has completed deployment of Starlink satellite connections across the Boeing 777 fleet. It claims to be the first airline to operate more than 50 widebody aircraft worldwide with high-speed satellite services.
With the StarLink service, passengers can enjoy free gate-to-gate WiFi at speeds of up to 500Mbps.
According to the airline, Starlink deployment was completed earlier than planned in just nine months without interrupting the airline's operations. It added that he is a leader in in-flight innovation, providing Starlink connectivity and the sole leader in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) careers.
The installation of the Starlink for the 54 Boeing 777 aircraft was originally scheduled as a two-year programme, and Qatar Airways was able to complete nearly 50% faster than planned. They shared that the aircraft has been reduced from three days per aircraft to just 9.5 hours, allowing the aircraft to complete their deployment without interrupting operations.
The upgraded satellite connection allows passengers in both premium and economy cabins to enjoy free gate-to-gate WiFi speeds of up to 500Mbps per aircraft. Passengers added that they can work with streaming, gaming and working with fast, reliable connections comparable to their home experience.
After the Boeing 777 Fleet rollout is completed, Qatar Airways is currently focusing on equipping the Airbus A350 Fleet with Starlinks, aiming to complete it within next year.
For Qatar Airlines aircraft without a StarLink connection, satellite-enabled in-flight WiFi is still available as an optional purchase. Privileged Club members can enjoy one hour of free onboard WiFi, while student club members can get unlimited WiFi access during their flight.
In October 2024, Qatar Airways launched the world's first Starlink equipped Boeing 777, operating flights connected to more than 15,000 Starlinks.
In addition to Qatar Airlines, other airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and Airbaltic also offer Starlink-enabled wifi services. – Soyacincau
