Emirates confirms fleet-wide deal for Starlink-powered free Wi-Fi

Though the rumors have been flying since early this year, Emirates today officially confirmed at the Dubai Airshow that it’s going fleet-wide with SpaceX’s Starlink Ku-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-based inflight connectivity solution to support free Wi-Fi for all passengers — with no logins and no special loyalty status required to access the service.

The move is a blow to Viasat, which assumed significant IFC business with Emirates when it acquired Inmarsat, including in support of L-band-powered cabin connectivity. It also impacts stalwart Ku-band geostationary satcom provider Panasonic Avionics.

“Emirates plans to install Starlink on all its in-service fleet — comprising 232 aircraft in the next two years. The airline has already equipped its first aircraft with Starlink on A6-EPF, the Boeing 777-300ER currently on display at the Dubai Airshow, where visitors can experience high-speed connectivity firsthand while on the ground,” the Dubai-based carrier says.

The first commercial flight with Starlink will take off after the Airshow on 23 November.

Two antennae are being installed atop the fuselage of each 777, which is now common for Starlink installs on larger aircraft. But, in an industry-first, three antennae will be fitted to each Emirates Airbus A380 when the super jumbos are fitted beginning in February 2026.

Just a few years ago, it would have been unprecedented to see three IFC antennas atop an aircraft, but much has changed since Starlink entered the market.

Fourteen Emirates aircraft per month will be installed with Starlink. All 232 aircraft in its existing fleet are expected to be fitted by mid-2027.

Of note, Emirates says it will also make Live TV over Starlink available, initially on personal devices and then on seatback IFE screens from late December 2025. This is in line with the ‘connected seatback’ vision long discussed by Panasonic Avionics, which is a key embedded IFE hardware provider to Emirates.

“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,” says Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX.

Sir Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline, notes, “Starlink is being installed in tandem with the most ambitious cabin refurbishment programme in aviation including brand new Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class, expanded and upgraded entertainment system technologies, and now, industry-leading connectivity.”

Starlink is certainly on the march in aviation, having secured IAG Group, airBaltic, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, SAS, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, ZIPAIR and hop-on jet operator JSX for full-fleet deals.

Emirates, however, says it will operate the “world’s largest international widebody Starlink-enabled fleet” when installs are completed.

Today, the airline also placed a massive $38 billion follow-on order for Boeing 777-9 twinjets. It remains to be seen if Emirates will stay the course with its prior IFC plans for equipping future aircraft deliveries.

Related Articles: