Qatar Airways is due to roll out complimentary high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity onboard specific aircraft and routes, with service supplied by the Starlink satellite communications system – the world’s largest satellite internet constellation, which is engineered and operated by SpaceX
The airline says that once the service is active, passengers will be able to access (via a simple one-click process) cabin wi-fi with speeds of up to 350 Megabits per second – sufficient for a variety of internet-based services such as video streaming, gaming, enriched web-browsing and more.
Qatar Airways and Starlink are currently in the pre-launch phase of the rollout strategy across the airline’s fleet.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said of the deal: “Qatar Airways is proud to announce its agreement with Starlink to provide seamless and complimentary wi-fi to its global passengers. This exciting collaboration is not only in line with our industry-leading approach to technological adoption, but also serves as an unmissable opportunity to connect Starlink to our global passengers.”
The Starlink service will be gradually rolled out across more aircraft, as SpaceX’s VP of Starlink commercial sales, Jonathan Hofeller explained:
“With Starlink set to support the entire Qatar Airways fleet, passengers travelling between over 160 destinations around the world will be able to stay connected with the most advances high-speed internet service from space. In fact, as soon as passengers step onboard the plane the internet works seamlessly throughout their flight from gate to gate, and all from the comfort of their seats.”
Qatar Airways is the latest and largest airline to partner with Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet. The service is also being implemented by JSX, Hawaiian Airlines, airBaltic, and ZIPAIR.
