Events
Qatar Airways has made history by becoming the first airline to offer Starlink satellite internet connectivity on a 777 aircraft. The airline’s CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, livestreamed a call from 35,000 feet to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during the inaugural flight from Doha to London.
This milestone marks a significant advancement for both Qatar Airways and SpaceX. Not only is it the first Starlink-equipped passenger aircraft in the Middle East and North Africa region, but it’s also the largest and longest-range aircraft with this service. The airline has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from Boeing for the installation of Starlink on its 777 fleet.
“This achievement, combined with our plans to rapidly expand Starlink across our entire modern fleet, demonstrates our commitment to providing passengers with an unparalleled in-flight experience,” said Mohammed Al-Meer.
Starlink is available to all Qatar Airways passengers free of charge. The airline aims to have 12 retrofitted 777-300s equipped with Starlink by the end of the year, and the entire 777 fleet will be Starlink-compatible by 2025. The airline’s Airbus A350 fleet will also be equipped with Starlink in the summer of 2025.
“Over time, the service will only improve,” concluded Musk.