When it comes to passenger experience, Emirates is one of the names that come to mind. The airline has just announced, at the Dubai Airshow 2025, the first of their passenger experience enhancements for the times ahead.
Emirates selects Starlink as in-flight Wi-Fi provider.
Emirates will deploy Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire in-service fleet, beginning with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025 and completing the rollout by mid-2027. The complimentary, ultra-fast service delivers ground-quality internet at cruising altitude. Starlink connectivity will enable Emirates customers to stream content, game, make calls, work, and browse social media throughout their journey, simultaneously on both seatback screens and personal devices. This seamless integration delivers connected experiences at scale across all cabin classes.
Emirates plans to install Starlink on all its in-service fleet, comprising 232 aircraft, within the next two years. The airline has already equipped its first aircraft, A6-EPF, the Boeing 777-300ER currently on display at the Dubai Airshow, with Starlink, allowing visitors to experience high-speed connectivity firsthand while on the ground.
The first Emirates commercial passenger flight with Starlink will depart immediately following the Airshow as A6-EPF re-enters service, marking the start of an accelerated fleet-wide rollout. The airline will fit out approximately 14 aircraft per month with Starlink, with installation on the Airbus A380 fleet scheduled to commence in February 2026.
The airline is poised 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 superior customer experience. Emirates will also make Live TV over Starlink available, initially on personal devices and then on seatback screens from late December 2025.
The Starlink Wi-Fi service on Emirates will be free for all customers, across all cabins on Starlink-equipped aircraft, with simple one-click access that requires no payment or special Skywards membership.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines, 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 in-flight 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.
Sir Tim added,
Emirates’ philosophy is simple but powerful: we strive to deliver consistency. While others peddle a confusing mix of products across a varied fleet, we want all our customers to be able to enjoy Emirates’ best products and not only on certain routes or aircraft types. That’s why we’re investing so heavily in our retrofit programme.
The most advanced connectivity, exceptional cabins, extensive entertainment, and world-class service from our talented Cabin Crew – all of these elements reflect our substantial investment and commitment to raising the bar on what air travel should be.
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.
Starlink represents the latest enhancement to Emirates’ onboard experience, which includes over 6,500 entertainment channels, the iconic A380 Onboard Lounge, and First Class Shower Spa.
The rollout also reflects the scale of Emirates’ nearly 220 aircraft retrofit programme. To date, 76 fully refurbished aircraft have entered service featuring Premium Economy, redesigned Business Class, refreshed First Class suites, and elevated finishes throughout.
Bottomline
Emirates has become the latest premium carrier to join the likes of Qatar Airways, British Airways, Iberia and many other carriers that are now powering in-flight Wi-Fi with Starlink rather than more conventional service providers such as Panasonic and others. The first aircraft will be ready to offer connectivity on November 23, 2025, and the whole fleet of 777s and A380S will go live with connectivity by November 2027.
What do you think of this aggressive rollout of Starlink on Emirates?
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