Air Transport

Qatar Airways becomes first to install Starlink on Boeing 787-8

Service has been used by more than 11 million passengers since October 2024, according to the company
Ricardo Meier

Qatar Airways has expanded the installation of Starlink satellite internet across its widebody fleet, becoming the first airline to enable the system on the Boeing 787-8.

The carrier has also completed the installation across its entire Airbus A350 fleet, a process concluded in December 2025, and currently operates three Boeing 787 Dreamliners equipped with the system, bringing the total number of Starlink-connected widebody aircraft to nearly 120.

According to the airline, the Starlink rollout began with the Boeing 777 fleet before being extended to the Airbus A350 and later to the Boeing 787. The airline said the installation programmes for the 777 and A350 were completed within a 14-month period. Qatar Airways is also the first operator to obtain Starlink certification for the Boeing 787-8.

The Starlink-equipped aircraft account for more than half of the airline’s widebody fleet, covering Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s. The system is advertised as providing in-flight connectivity with speeds of up to 500 Mbps, and is offered free of charge to passengers.

The airline said the service has been available since October 2024 and has been used by more than 11 million passengers on its flights. Starlink-equipped aircraft are currently deployed on a range of long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes, including services to destinations in the Americas, Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

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