Earlier this week in a closed event, Qatar Airways and Starlink set out a timetable for the connectivity solution to be deployed.
Starlink will be deployed on three of its Boeing 777-300 aircraft by the last quarter of this year, as part of the initial phase of its rollout strategy. This will provide high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi to the passenger via the Starlink LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) network.
It will be the first deployment of its type in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Plans are in place to extend the SpaceX-powered technology across its entire modern fleet within the next two years.
The announcement took place on the second day of the Aircraft Interior Expo at Hamburg – Germany, in the presence of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, and Mr. Mike Nicolls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX in a closed briefing.
Starlink will be able to offer speeds of to 500 megabits per second per plane, allowing passengers onboard to access a high-speed internet connectivity pipe by Wi-Fi.
Qatar Airways passengers can use the high-speed and low-latency network with a simple ‘one-click-access’ to enjoy a variety of internet-based services such as video streaming of their favourite entertainment and sports videos, online gaming, enriched web-browsing and much more.
In Quotes
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said:
“This exciting collaboration with Starlink is a testament to our customer-first mindset and commitment to elevating our passengers’ experience to unprecedented heights, as we continue furthering our innovative offerings to meet and exceed passengers’ expectations throughout their journey with Qatar Airways.”
Starlink Engineering Vice President at SpaceX, Mike Nicolls, said:
“High-speed, low-latency internet is the future of aviation connectivity, and we’re excited to work with Qatar Airways to start flying Starlink on their fleet by the end of this year. Soon, all Qatar Airways passengers will be able to enjoy all the benefits of the world’s best in-flight connectivity from the comfort of their seats.”
Economy Class and Beyond attempted to contact a Starlink representative at Aircraft Interiors Expo for clarification and further questions. None were available.
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