Qatar Airways Pioneers Aviation with Starlink Wi-Fi on Boeing 787-9 Fleet
Qatar Airways, in a groundbreaking move, has become the first airline globally to operate a Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This marks a significant step in the airline’s ambitious inflight connectivity rollout. The carrier now proudly operates a total of 150 Starlink-equipped widebody aircraft across its fleet, comprising its Boeing 777, Airbus A350, and Boeing 787 families.
Passengers aboard Starlink-equipped flights are treated to complimentary, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps. This speed allows passengers to stream, work, and stay connected just as they would on the ground, even while cruising at 35,000 feet. The service is offered free of charge to passengers via Privilege Club membership authentication.
Since the introduction of Starlink connectivity in October 2024, more than 23 million passengers have connected to the service across over 86,000 Qatar Airways flights. With up to 323 Starlink-equipped flights operating daily, the rollout is already the fastest and most ambitious Starlink widebody installation programme in aviation history, now surpassing 83% completion. The airline remains on track to equip its entire Boeing 787 fleet by the end of 2026.
The advent of this development signals a broader shift in long-haul aviation. High-speed satellite internet is fast becoming a standard passenger expectation rather than a premium add-on, and Qatar Airways is firmly leading the charge.
Source: Qatar Airways Newsroom – August/September 2026