SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet is becoming increasingly common among airlines. Qatar Airways has become the first airline in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi service on its flights. The airline announced that it will begin providing Starlink Wi-Fi services on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will initially add this service to three types of aircraft. Qatar Airways also stated that it plans to upgrade its entire modern aircraft fleet with Starlink internet connectivity within two years.
Starlink Expands Among Airlines
According to Qatar Airways, it will be the first airline in the MENA region to offer free Wi-Fi services enabled by SpaceX’s Starlink solution. In a press release, Qatar Airways mentioned that three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft would be equipped with hardware capable of receiving signals from thousands of Starlink satellites by the fourth quarter of 2024. The airline aims to provide free ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi at speeds of up to 500 megabits per second per aircraft. This will allow passengers to access various internet-based services such as streaming entertainment and sports videos, online gaming, enhanced web browsing, and much more.
Growth of Starlink
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, continues to expand on land, in the air, and in space. The number of Starlink satellites currently orbiting the Earth has exceeded 6,000, accounting for 60% of all satellites in orbit. Qatar Airways is now the largest airline to partner with Starlink. Previously, Starlink had been adopted by smaller airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines, AirBaltic, and Air New Zealand.
Qatar Airways’ initiative marks a significant step in enhancing the in-flight connectivity experience, providing passengers with unprecedented internet speeds and reliability. This move not only sets a new standard for in-flight services in the MENA region but also underscores the growing importance and capabilities of satellite internet technology in aviation.
