Over a million connections to the in-flight Starlink network in just seven months show that high-speed internet is becoming one of the factors influencing the passenger experience during a flight. Emirates is expanding the service as part of a wider modernisation of its fleet.
Emirates has announced that passengers have connected to the in-flight Starlink Wi-Fi network over a million times since the service was launched seven months ago. During this time, users have transmitted a total of over a quadrillion bytes of data, using the internet for streaming, video calls, social media, online gaming and working whilst travelling.
Currently, more than 60 Emirates flights a day are operated by aircraft equipped with the Starlink system. The service is already available on board 33 Boeing 777s and three Airbus A380s, and the airline is gradually rolling out the system to further aircraft. Ultimately, Starlink is set to be rolled out across the entire fleet of 232 wide-body Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft by mid-2027.
The development of in-flight connectivity represents a significant increase in bandwidth. The first Wi-Fi systems offered by Emirates provided a total bandwidth of less than 1 Mb/s for the entire aircraft. On the new Airbus A380s fitted with Starlink, the available bandwidth exceeds 2 Gb/s. This allows passengers in all classes to enjoy free internet access, even whilst making video calls or watching high-quality content.
Implementing the system on the Airbus A380s presented a particular challenge. Due to the double-deck design of the world’s largest passenger aircraft, each aircraft has been fitted with three Starlink antennas, which are intended to ensure adequate coverage and connection stability regardless of the number of users on board.
Emirates has announced further features relating to in-flight connectivity. Plans include the integration of live TV broadcasts with the ice in-flight entertainment system. The service is already available on passengers’ devices.
The expansion of Starlink is part of a wider fleet modernisation programme. To date, the airline has refurbished the cabins on 128 aircraft, introducing, amongst other things, Premium Economy class, refreshed interiors in the other classes, and expanding the in-flight entertainment system to offer over 6,500 channels. As a result, high-speed internet is becoming another key element of the strategy designed to set Emirates apart in the long-haul market.
