What's happened
On October 22, 2024, Qatar Airways launched its first flight equipped with Elon Musk's Starlink internet service, offering high-speed connectivity to passengers. The airline plans to roll out Starlink across its Boeing 777 fleet by the end of 2024, enhancing the in-flight experience significantly.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Natalie Wilson from The Independent, Qatar Airways is the first Middle Eastern airline to offer Starlink, emphasizing its commitment to innovation. Business Insider UK reported that the service allows for video calls and streaming, which could revolutionize productivity for business travelers. The contrasting views highlight the competitive landscape, with Qatar Airways aiming to lead in passenger experience while other airlines like United and Air France are also exploring similar technologies.
How we got here
Qatar Airways has been at the forefront of aviation innovation, recently partnering with SpaceX to integrate Starlink technology. This move aims to provide passengers with reliable internet access during flights, addressing common complaints about traditional in-flight WiFi.
More on these topics
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Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C., operating as Qatar Airways, is the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar. Headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, the airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 150 international destinations across Africa
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The Boeing 777 is a wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, commonly referred to as the Triple Seven.
The 777 was designed to bridge the gap between Boeing's 767 and 747, and to replace older DC-10s or L-1011s.
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Elon Reeve Musk FRS is an engineer, industrial designer, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, CEO, CTO and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; co-foun
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Starlink is a satellite constellation being constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite Internet access. The constellation will consist of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit, working in combination with ground transceivers.