Qatar Airways has announced its plan to equip its Boeing 777 aircraft with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, providing high-speed internet to passengers. The collaboration between the two companies was confirmed on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards revolutionizing in-flight connectivity. Starting from early 2025, passengers aboard Qatar Airways flights will be able to access free, high-speed internet.
In a unique demonstration of the service, Qatar Airways CEO Badr Al Meer conducted a video call with Starlink founder Elon Musk while flying at 35,000 feet from Doha to London. “We are speaking through Starlink right now, and it’s truly incredible,” said Musk, speaking from his home. “The service is being delivered to your plane via Starlink’s laser link between satellites.”
Qatar Airways’ decision to offer free high-speed internet to its passengers is seen as a bold move, posing a direct challenge to rival airlines. “This service will keep getting better. We’ve launched new satellites, and we are continuously improving the software,” Musk added. “Over time, you’ll see this service become even more reliable.”
The national carrier of Qatar aims to install Starlink on 12 Boeing 777-300 aircraft by the end of 2024, with plans to cover its entire Boeing 777 fleet by 2025. Additionally, the Airbus A350 fleet is expected to have Starlink service available by the summer of 2025.
Starlink operates as a satellite internet constellation, offering high-speed, low-latency internet through a network of approximately 6,000 satellites. According to Musk, passengers using the service will be able to stream videos, send messages, and make calls while in the air.
With this strategic move, Qatar Airways is setting a new standard for in-flight internet services, enhancing the travel experience for its passengers.
Source: TechPana
