Tourexpi
This
milestone establishes Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by
Skytrax in 2024, as an industry leader in bringing advanced technology on
board. The airline is the largest and first carrier in the MENA region to offer
passengers Starlink ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet. Starlink is free to
all passengers and operates from gate to gate.
The
national carrier of the State of Qatar is also set to exceed its initial target
of three Starlink-equipped aircraft by introducing 12 Boeing 777-300s upgraded
with this innovative service by the end of 2024. Qatar Airways has further
committed to rolling out the technology on its entire Boeing 777 fleet in 2025
– one year ahead of schedule – with the Airbus A350 fleet following in the
summer of 2025.
This
significant move highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to bridging the gap
between the skies and the ground by offering ultra-high-speed, low-latency
internet.
Engineered
by SpaceX, Starlink is the world's first and largest satellite constellation
using a low Earth orbit that will provide passengers reliable, high-speed
internet so they can stay connected with friends and family, stream their
favourite entertainment, watch live sports, play online games, or work
efficiently at 35,000 feet – all for free and with a simple ‘one-click-access’.
Qatar
Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We
are thrilled to launch our first Starlink-equipped flight, proving once again
why Qatar Airways is at the forefront of the aviation industry.
“This
milestone, paired with our commitment to rapidly roll-out Starlink across our
entire modern fleet, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of offering passengers
an in-flight experience that transcends the constraints of traditional air
travel.
“By
providing Starlink reliable, seamless internet on board, we are connecting
people to the things they love the most even at 35,000 feet, making every
journey with us a memorable one.”
Leveraging
advanced satellites with its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit
operations, Starlink delivers internet access around the world, including over
oceans and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or
Wi-Fi signals. “Overtime you'll find it just gets better and better. This is
the minimum and it only gets better from here,” said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
With
the launch of its first Starlink-equipped flight, Qatar Airways has achieved
several industry-firsts, including:
·
World’s first Starlink equipped Boeing
Widebody 777
·
First Starlink on Qatar Airways
passenger aircraft
·
First Starlink equipped passenger
aircraft in the MENA region
·
First Starlink Supplemental Type
Certificate (STC) for a Boeing aircraft
·
Largest passenger aircraft equipped
with Starlink
·
Longest range Starlink equipped
passenger aircraft
As
the first-ever service of its kind in the MENA region, the collaboration with
Starlink, the world’s largest satellite internet constellation engineered and
operated by SpaceX, marks a new milestone for the national carrier of the State
of Qatar. This strategic initiative will further elevate the airline’s
unparalleled on-board experience.
This
press release, along with accompanying multimedia files, was dispatched
directly from the first Starlink-equipped flight at 35,000 feet. The
Starlink-equipped aircraft will operate on select routes as the airline pushes
forward its roll-out plans. This will ensure more passengers have seamless
access to enhanced connectivity during their travels, elevating the Qatar
Airways’ award-winning on-board experience to new heights and setting a new
benchmark for in-flight excellence.
Image
Credit: © Qatar Airways
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