Qatar Airways announces provision of 150 starlink-equipped widebody aircraft

Dubai-based Qatar Airways is making significant strides in equipping its Boeing 787 fleet with Starlink, the company's high-speed satellite Wi-Fi service. By the end of 2026, the airline aims to complete the rollout across its entire Boeing 787 fleet, which currently stands at over 150 widebody aircraft. This includes the world's first Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9, demonstrating the airline's commitment to providing premium connectivity for its passengers.

The rapid expansion of Starlink-equipped aircraft has seen Qatar Airways complete installations across its Boeing 787-8 fleet in just seven months. The airline has also achieved comprehensive coverage for its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets, with installations taking nine and eight months respectively. This accomplishment marks Qatar Airways as the world's first and largest carrier with Starlink-equipped planes across the Boeing 777, Airbus A350, and Boeing 787 models.

Starlink-equipped aircraft can offer Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps, allowing passengers to work, communicate, stream content, or browse the internet while airborne. Qatar Airways was the pioneer in offering this service on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes across six continents, making the experience accessible to over 23 million passengers since its launch in October 2024.

The airline currently operates approximately 323 Starlink-equipped flights daily, signaling a growing demand for high-speed connectivity among travelers.

Despite the impressive progress, Qatar Airways has set a target of completing the 787 program by the end of 2026, acknowledging that the rollout is currently at 83 per cent completion. While Starlink-equipped flights provide free Wi-Fi to passengers, gate-to-gate access may not be guaranteed at all airports due to local regulatory requirements.