Qatar Airways Operates First Starlink-Equipped Boeing 787 and Completes Rollout on Airbus A350 Fleet
Qatar Airways has become the world’s first airline to operate a Boeing 787-8 with Starlink and, in record time, has completed the system installation across its entire Airbus A350 fleet, solidifying its global leadership in long-haul connectivity.
A Technological Milestone in Today’s Aviation Context
At a time when the digital onboard experience has become a strategic differentiator—for both passengers and airlines—Qatar Airways has just set a new standard. The airline has not only expanded the use of Starlink to the Boeing 787 but has also completed the full deployment of the system across its Airbus A350s in just eight months.
High-speed connectivity is no longer an aspirational extra. Today, it directly impacts brand perception, premium passenger loyalty, and competitiveness on long and ultra-long-haul routes.
Fastest Starlink Deployment on Wide-Body Aircraft
Qatar Airways is now the operator of the world’s largest Starlink-equipped wide-body fleet. With the entry into service of the Boeing 787-8, the airline also becomes the first to obtain Starlink certification for this model.
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Key Program Data
- Nearly 120 wide-body aircraft equipped with Starlink.
- This represents over 58% of its wide-body fleet, including Airbus A350, Boeing 777, and now Boeing 787 aircraft.
- Three Boeing 787 Dreamliners already operational with Starlink.
- Speeds of up to 500 Mbps, sufficient for continuous streaming, video calls, and real-time work.
- Free, door-to-door connectivity, from boarding until landing.
The program’s pace is particularly relevant: in just 14 months, Qatar Airways initiated and completed the installation of Starlink on its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft, before extending it to the 787. The airline itself describes this process as the fastest and most ambitious deployment of Starlink on wide-body aircraft in aviation history.
Direct Impact on Passengers: Telling Figures
Since the service launch in October 2024, over 11 million passengers have already used the high-speed Wi-Fi onboard Qatar Airways.
This figure carries even more weight when compared to the global market:
- In 2025, Starlink connected more than 21 million passengers across all airlines worldwide.
- Over 10 million of them flew on Qatar Airways aircraft, representing nearly half of the global total.
This volume positions the company as the primary operational laboratory for Starlink in long-haul commercial aviation.
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