Qatar Airways Fast-Tracks Free Starlink Wi-Fi

So, Qatar Airways, the aviation colossus from the Middle East, decided to sprinkle a little magic into the skies as of October 2023. They announced to the world their flirtation with Starlink Wi-Fi, thanks to that enterprising wiz kid Elon Musk. By October 2024, their first jet was all set and ready to connect at cloud level, and now they’re speeding up their plans. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, because it’s exciting!

Qatar Airways Offering Free High-Speed Wi-Fi

Isn’t it a hoot when billion-dollar companies decide to give away stuff for free? That’s exactly what Qatar Airways is doing with Starlink Wi-Fi – a service operating with lightning speed at 500 mbps, perfect for gaming, streaming, or working while halfway to your exotic destination. You might remember this should keep them among the world’s elite when it comes to staying wired in the skies, collaborating with SpaceX. Imagine being that passenger watching a sports match, laughing maniacally as your team scores while you float 35,000 feet above anyone else who cares.

They’re not alone in this interstellar journey. Qatar Airways has some company—airlines around the globe like airBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, United Airlines, and WestJet are also hopping on this Starlink bandwagon.

Back in October 2024, Qatar Airways managed a feat unprecedented by making a video call from one of their aircraft with none other than Elon Musk himself. Imagine the internet successfully beaming live over an Emirates dessert while they gazed into each other’s eyes, er—screens.

The Current State of Affairs

Traditionally, Qatar Airways leaned on something called Inmarsat’s GX aviation technology for in-flight kilobytes—what they lovingly refer to as “Super Wi-Fi.” That puts you ten bucks out of pocket per flight for what they call data without limits. Then there’s the slower, steady tortoise they call OnAir Wi-Fi running on some of their other planes. But who needs super or OnAir when you can have an Elon-induced broadband spectacular for free?

Qatar Airways’ Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout Schedule

Now, here’s the kicker. Qatar Airways has fiddled with their original timeline and rolled out an update that feels like Christmas came early. Do not adjust your fantasy travel plans:

• As of now, they’ve jazzed up 30 Boeing 777s with Starlink Wi-Fi, which marvelously accounts for over half their fleet of 777s.
• Every single Qatar Airways Boeing 777 will be Starlink-ready by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
• Starting from the summer of 2025, Airbus A350s will also get their Starlink sprinkles.

Initially, they reckoned they’d need till December 2025 to Starlink all their 777s. Surprise! They’ve zipped up that timeline to June 2025. It turns out that getting approval once your spacecraft—excuse me, airplane—is lined up is actually quicker than expected.

The Connectivity Conundrum

There are still a few planes left looming in the cosmic void here. When their 787s and A380s will receive Starlink is anyone’s guess because those 787 carbon fiber fuselages make certification a little more complex. It does make sense, though, focusing on 777s and A350s since they’re the ones gallivanting on those ultra-long-haul escapades.

And guess who had something brewing to say about all this? CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer presented a full forecast:

“We are delivering on our commitment to provide our passengers the best in-flight connectivity at an unprecedented pace. In just four months since launching the world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-equipped flight, we have already installed this ground-breaking service on 30 aircraft—far exceeding our initial targets. This reflects the commendable efficiency and dedication of our team. Starlink Wi-Fi is a game-changer for our passengers who will soon enjoy uninterrupted connectivity on even more routes.”

Bottom Line

Qatar Airways is soaring high with Starlink Wi-Fi like nobody’s business. The skies are abuzz with faster than fast Wi-Fi that’s now so commonly available on their aircraft, and perhaps the pièce de résistance: it’s free! A genuine competitive edge, wouldn’t you agree?

They’ve equipped Starlink on half their 777s, planning to extend this cosmic reach across the entire fleet by mid-2025. And next in line, the A350s will soon get their taste of digital freedom.

So, what do you think of Qatar Airways’ bold move, introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi? After you’ve pondered that, you might want to check out Val Seny ski resort for a different kind of high-altitude adventure.