Qatar Airways to roll out StarLink internet

[moa999]

While Qantas continues to wait on ViaSat to launch its latest constellation,

Qatar has announced its moving to StarLink, starting to install in aircraft this year on 773s and roll out to the entire fleet within two years.

Qatar Airways raises in-flight experience to new heights!

We are proud to be the largest global airline and the first in the MENA region to collaborate with @SpaceX @Starlink

This complimentary, ground-breaking service will enhance our passengers' onboard experience with boundless entertainment and information options.

Three Boeing 777-300s will be the first aircraft in Qatar Airways' fleet to be upgraded with Starlink's game-changing, ultra-high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi onboard by the last quarter of this year.

This enhancement marks the beginning of a comprehensive rollout strategy, set to extend across our entire modern fleet within the next two years. Passengers can enjoy complimentary, ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi of up to 500 Megabit per second to stream their favourite movies, watch live sports, and enjoy online gaming at 30,000 feet, as if they were at home.

x.com

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[RooFlyer]

Jolly good

 

[Scarlett]

So, will we now have to scroll past MY NUDES IN BIO every couple of titles whilst reviewing the movie list?

 

[henrus]

There two main things I find amusing about the Qatar/Starlink proposal.

1. Whilst Starlink can provide full coverage over oceans, as of the last update 6 months ago they only had approval to operate over ~60 countries (highlighted green below). These countries are updated on the following page Help Center however I think there will always be some hold outs. Currently the Ku band solution by Panasonic has approval from every country and Sita's has every country except India.

For Qatar airways you could be without services for at least an hour on departure or arrival from Qatar as no neighbouring countries have approved Starlink.



2. The Starlink antenna for the 777 hasn't yet got regulatory approval, this is scheduled for Q4 this year (hence the roll out starting then).

The only aircraft operated by the QF group with approval is the A321neo which is currently operating for JQ. The 737 isn't getting it until Q3 this year with the 787's slated for 2025+, A330s hopefully this quarter and no plan at this stage to gain regulatory approval for the A380s.

 

[RooFlyer]

First B777 with Starlink now in service:

Qatar Airways to let passengers make video calls with Starlink technology (The Oz, probably paywalled, sorry)

The high-speed internet capability is currently available on board one Qatar Boeing 777 which has been equipped with Elon Musk’s Starlink technology.

Eleven more 777s will be fitted out by year’s end, while the entire 777 fleet is to be Starlink-equipped within 12 months, including those aircraft on Australian routes.

Qatar’s A350 fleet will follow, with work to start in mid-2025.

Personally, I'm not wild about them allowing video calls in flight:

It is believed to be the first international airline in the world to allow video calls by passengers during flights. Hawaiian Airlines also has Starlink technology on its A330 and A321neo planes, but prohibits voice and video calls.

Qatar Airways senior vice-president of product development Xia Cai said the airline expected passengers using Starlink to be “respectful of those around them when making calls, playing games or streaming music”.

“We would hope passengers would continue to conduct themselves appropriately, as they do while travelling on the ground and using internet services,” Ms Cai said.

Yeah, like Mr Shouty in the lounge ...

 

[DejaBrew]

It is believed to be the first international airline in the world to allow video calls by passengers during flights.

This doesn’t sound like a great selling point.

“We would hope passengers would continue to conduct themselves appropriately, as they do while travelling on the ground and using internet services,” Ms Cai said.

Wow… good luck with that.

 

[serfty]

Here's Qatar's release:

https://www.qatarairways.com/press-releases/en-WW/242734-qatar-airways-launches-the-world-s-first-boeing-777-starlink-equipped-flight-taking-the-future-of-in-flight-connectivity-to-new-height

 

[serfty]

Here is the current starlink ground coverage map. You can mouse over countries to see their status.

Starlink | Availability Map

View availability, coverage, speeds and latency for Starlink service.

www.starlink.com