Qatar Airways has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in aviation connectivity by becoming the first airline globally to equip Boeing 787-8 aircraft with Starlink technology while simultaneously completing its Airbus A350 Starlink installation program. With nearly 120 widebody aircraft now Starlink-enabled, the Doha-based carrier operates the world’s largest fleet of widebody aircraft equipped with high-speed satellite internet.
Record-Breaking Deployment Timeline
The airline’s Starlink journey represents the fastest and most ambitious widebody connectivity rollout in global aviation history. Beginning with its first Starlink-equipped flight in October 2024, Qatar Airways has achieved remarkable installation milestones in remarkably short timeframes. The carrier completed its entire Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 Starlink programs within just 14 months before expanding the technology to its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners are currently flying with Starlink connectivity, marking Qatar Airways as the first carrier worldwide to secure Starlink certification for this aircraft type. This latest expansion brings the airline’s total Starlink-equipped widebody aircraft to nearly 120, representing over 58 percent of its entire widebody fleet across three aircraft families.
Transforming the Passenger Experience
The Starlink-equipped aircraft delivers ultra-high-speed connectivity at speeds of up to 500 megabits per second, performance that can exceed many residential broadband connections. This enables passengers to enjoy uninterrupted streaming, conduct video calls, and maintain real-time productivity at 35,000 feet, fundamentally transforming what’s possible during air travel.
Since launching the service in October 2024, Qatar Airways has connected more than 11 million passengers with complimentary, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi. This figure is particularly striking when placed in a global context. Starlink connected approximately 21 million airline passengers worldwide in 2025, meaning Qatar Airways passengers accounted for nearly half of that total, underscoring the scale of the carrier’s deployment relative to the broader industry.
The service is now available on flights spanning six continents, including routes to the majority of Qatar Airways destinations in the Americas and Australia, alongside prominent routes in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Up to 250 flights daily now operate with Starlink connectivity, ensuring passengers on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes can stay connected throughout their journey.
Setting the Standard for Aviation Connectivity
Qatar Airways’ achievement in becoming the world’s first and largest operator of Starlink-equipped widebody aircraft establishes a new standard for long-haul and ultra-long-haul connectivity. The carrier’s status as a launch operator for multiple aircraft types equipped with Starlink technology demonstrates both its willingness to pioneer new capabilities and its commitment to delivering superior passenger experiences.
The success of this rollout program may well serve as a blueprint for other carriers looking to upgrade their connectivity offerings. As more airlines announce plans to adopt Starlink technology, Qatar Airways’ experience in rapid deployment, certification processes, and operational integration will likely inform industry best practices for years to come.
With over half its widebody fleet now equipped and expansion continuing, Qatar Airways has positioned itself at the forefront of the connected aviation era, where seamless, high-speed internet access is as fundamental to the flying experience as comfortable seating and quality service.
