Qatar Airways has taken in-flight connectivity to greater heights by operating the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft flight.
The landmark flight departed Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on October 22, 2024.
The Doha-based airline has ambitious plans to equip all of its Boeing 777 fleet with Starlink’s reliable, high-speed, low-latency internet by the end of 2025. Starlink is free to all passengers and operates from gate to gate.
The Starlink-equipped B777 aircraft will operate on select routes as the airline pushes forward with its roll-out plans.
To mark the milestone, Qatar Airways made its media release announcement at 35,000 feet, from onboard the Starlink-equipped flight.
Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit that provides passengers with reliable, high-speed internet so they can stay connected with friends and family, stream their favorite 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 airline’s video press release includes a video call clip between Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meerl with SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, conducted onboard the B777 Starlink-equipped flight.
“We are thrilled to launch our first Starlink-equipped flight, proving once again why Qatar Airways is at the forefront of the aviation industry,” Al Meerl said in the statement.
“This milestone, paired with our commitment to rapidly roll-out Starlink across our entire modern fleet, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of offering passengers an in-flight experience that transcends the constraints of traditional air travel,” he continued.