Emirates announced today that it will add fast, free, Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide beginning later this month. The Dubai based carrier plans to have all of its aircraft retrofitted by 2027.
Emirates is Rolling Out Starlink Fleetwide by 2027
Emirates will begin rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi this month, beginning with the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft. The first plane, registration A6-EPF, has already been retrofitted with the service and is on display at the Dubai Air Show, where the announcement was made.
The airline has plans to retrofit approximately 14 planes per month, beginning with the Boeing 777 fleet. Airbus A380 retrofits will begin in February 2026. All of the aircraft are expected to be outfitted with the service by mid-2027.
In order to keep fast speeds for all passengers, Emirates will install two Starlink antennas on its Boeing 777s while Airbus A380 jets will receive an industry leading three antennas. 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 of Emirates, said this about the partnership with Starlink:
“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. But that’s just one piece of the transformation happening across our fleet. 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.”
Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX, added:
“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.”
While Emirates states that it will install Starlink across its entire in-service fleet, its Airbus A350 aircraft are noticeably absent from the announcement.
My Thoughts
The addition of Starlink from Emirates makes perfect sense and is honestly overdue for the carrier. The airline operates one of the most robust global route networks with flights to remote corners of the globe. By adding Starlink, Emirates will join fellow Gulf carrier Qatar Airways in offering the service.
Until now, Emirates’ Wi-Fi offerings have been less than stellar. On a recent flight with them between Dubai and Dallas I found it hard to stay connected during the flight. This is a step in the right direction from an airline that prides itself on a premium experience and, fortunately, it will be rolled out in roughly a year and a half.
Summary
Emirates has announced that it will introduce Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide, though the A350 is absent from the announcement. All of the carrier’s Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s will be outfitted with the service by mid-2027. This is a welcome addition for passengers as the airline’s current Wi-Fi offerings could be extremely slow at times.
(Images courtesy Emirates)