Qatar Airways Makes Aviation History with Starlink Launch on Boeing 787-8

Qatar Airways has once again set a global aviation benchmark by becoming the world’s first airline to equip Boeing 787-8 aircraft with Starlink, further expanding what is now the largest Starlink-enabled widebody fleet in operation.

The milestone comes as the airline also completed the installation of Starlink across its entire Airbus A350 fleet in December 2025, achieving the rollout in a record-breaking eight months. With this latest expansion, Qatar Airways now operates three Starlink-connected Boeing 787 Dreamliners, bringing the total number of Starlink-enabled widebody aircraft in its fleet to nearly 120.

This programme represents the fastest and most ambitious Starlink widebody rollout in global aviation history. Within just 14 months, Qatar Airways initiated and completed Starlink installations across its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets before extending the technology to the Boeing 787 family.

The achievement further cements the airline’s position as the global leader in Starlink-enabled long-haul and ultra-long-haul connectivity, while also establishing the world’s first and largest Starlink-equipped Airbus A350 fleet. The milestone builds on Qatar Airways’ role as the aircraft’s global launch customer and its industry-leading approach to inflight innovation.

Named the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2025 for the ninth time, Qatar Airways is also the first airline worldwide to secure Starlink certification for the Boeing 787-8, reinforcing its leadership in next-generation inflight connectivity.

Since the launch of Starlink Wi-Fi onboard Qatar Airways flights in October 2024, more than 11 million passengers have already experienced the airline’s complimentary, gate-to-gate internet service. Across global airlines, Starlink connected over 21 million passengers in 2025, with Qatar Airways accounting for nearly half of that total. More than 10 million Qatar Airways travellers were among the first globally to enjoy free Starlink Wi-Fi on widebody aircraft operating long- and ultra-long-haul routes.

Today, nearly 120 widebody aircraft representing over 58 per cent of Qatar Airways’ widebody fleet, including Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s offer ultra-high-speed connectivity of up to 500 Mbps. The service supports uninterrupted streaming, video calls and real-time productivity, often exceeding typical home broadband speeds.

Qatar Airways continues to expand the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky across an increasing number of routes, covering most destinations in the Americas and Australia, as well as key routes across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, redefining the inflight digital experience for global travellers.