Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Qatar Airways First to Fly Starlink on Boeing 787-8 as Widebody Rollout Nears 120 Jets

New 787 certification using Boeing’s aerodynamic shroud positions the airline to accelerate free, high‑speed Wi‑Fi across more long‑haul routes.

Overview

  • Qatar Airways is the first carrier to certify and operate Starlink on the 787-8, with three Dreamliners now in service.
  • The airline has completed installations across all Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s, bringing nearly 120 widebodies online, or about 58–60% of its long‑haul fleet.
  • Passengers receive complimentary, gate‑to‑gate connectivity with advertised speeds up to 500 Mbps supporting streaming, video calls and VPN use.
  • Boeing’s new aerodynamic shroud accommodates dual electronically steerable antennas on the 787’s composite airframe, clearing a key retrofit hurdle.
  • Installations typically take about 10 hours per aircraft, and more than 11 million travelers have used Qatar Airways’ Starlink service since its October 2024 launch.