During Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates airline created waves when it announced that it will deploy Starlink WiFi across its entire in-service fleet, comprising 232 aircraft in the next two years,, beginning with Boeing 777 aircraft, at the conclusion of the show. The Starlink Wifi service will be free for all Emirates customers, across all cabins on Starlink-equipped aircraft, with one-click access that requires no payment or special Skywards membership. A Boeing 777-300ER was on display at the Dubai Airshow so that visitors could experience high-speed connectivity first-hand while on the ground.

Starlink is Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, operated by his company SpaceX providing a simple ‘one-click-access’ to passengers.

Starlink connectivity will enable Emirates customers to stream content,  game, make calls, work, and browse social media throughout their journey on both seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. This seamless integration delivers connected experiences at scale across all cabin classes.  The airline will fit-out approximately 14 aircraft per month with Starlink, with installation on the Airbus A380 fleet commencing in February 2026.

The airline is primed to install two antennae on each Boeing 777 aircraft, and an industry-first three antennae on each Airbus A380, ensuring the highest levels of connectivity, capacity and coverage across every cabin class for a better customer experience. Emirates will also make Live TV over Starlink available, initially on personal devices and then on seatback screens from late December 2025.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Partnering with Starlink is another defining moment in our continuous commitment to ensuring our customers ‘fly better’. We’re introducing the world’s fastest Wi-Fi, elevating what passengers can expect from inflight connectivity, like seamless productivity, real-time communication with loved ones, and uninterrupted connection to their digital lives.”

Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX, said: “With Starlink onboard your Emirates flight, you’ll be able to stream, game, and have seamless video calls, just as you can do on the ground. We’re excited to transform Emirates’ travel experience and support the rapid installation of Starlink while maintaining focus on delivering overall quality of service.”

It’s also been shown that Wi-Fi speeds from in-flight Starlink internet are actually faster than you might get at home. If that seems counterintuitive, consider that Starlink’s fleet of 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites are a lot closer to your in-flight connection than the 22,000 miles that separate your connection at home with geostationary satellites.

Delivering download speeds of 100–250 Mbps  (with peaks up to 450 Mbps), upload speeds of up 10-25 mbps, and latency under 99 ms, Starlink enables all passengers to enjoy activities such as video streaming, video calls, VPN access, and online gaming—simultaneously.

Starlink’s constellation contains 9,000+ lasers transmitting 10Pb+ of daily data traffic. These lasers can sustain a 100Gbps connection per link, can connect up to 5,300+ km (3,300 mi) apart, and maintain a mesh network with 99.99% uptime. Starlink’s optical space lasers transmit data throughout the Starlink constellation, providing continuous service in areas far from SpaceX ground stations – providing coverage for your flights over the open ocean and in polar regions.

Thanks to Starlink customers can enjoy internet connection from gate to gate at no cost during your journey. (Gate-to-gate access will only be available at select airports.).

Starlink is spreading its wings. A growing number of airlines are using Starlink Wi-Fi, including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet, and Qatar Airways. Other airlines that are rolling out or have announced plans to use Starlink include Emirates, British Airways, Air France, SAS, Virgin Atlantic, China Airlines etc.

Read More: Aviation