Qatar Airways operates world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-equipped flight

Qatar Airways has become the first airline to operate the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft from Doha to London. The milestone flight took place on October 22, 2024. The airline is the largest and first carrier in the MENA region to offer passengers Starlink ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet. Starlink is free to all passengers and operates from gate to gate.

Further, the carrier will introduce 12 Boeing 777-300s upgraded with this innovative service by the end of 2024, exceeding its initial target of just three Starlink-equipped aircraft. Qatar Airways has further committed to rolling out the technology on its entire Boeing 777 fleet in 2025 – one year ahead of schedule – with the Airbus A350 fleet following in the summer of 2025.

With the launch of its first Starlink-equipped flight, Qatar Airways has achieved several industry-firsts, including: World’s first Starlink equipped Boeing Widebody 777, first Starlink on Qatar Airways passenger aircraft, first Starlink equipped passenger aircraft in the MENA region, first Starlink Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for a Boeing aircraft, largest passenger aircraft equipped with Starlink, and longest range Starlink equipped passenger aircraft.

Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit that will provide passengers reliable, high-speed internet so they can stay connected with friends and family, stream their favourite entertainment, watch live sports, play online games, or work efficiently at 35,000 feet – all for free and with a simple ‘one-click-access’.

The Starlink-equipped aircraft will operate on select routes as the airline pushes forward its roll-out plans. This will ensure more passengers have seamless access to enhanced connectivity during their travels, elevating the Qatar Airways’ award-winning on-board experience to new heights and setting a new benchmark for in-flight excellence.