Qatar Airways’ Starlink WiFi: FaceTime, Zoom calls at 40,000 feet
The Gulf carrier is connecting its entire fleet with the innovative Starlink micro-satellite network.
By David Flynn, October 23 2024
Qatar Airways’ new Starlink-powered inflight WiFi system is fast, free and unlimited – and wide open to everything from standard Web browsing to FaceTime video chats, Zoom calls and even online gaming.
That’s the take-away from this week’s launch of the first Qatar Airways Boeing 777 fitted with Starlink tech from the communications satellite arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture.
Speeds on that inaugural flight clocked a reliable 150Mbps for downloads, with the uplink at 50Mpbs. This is not only real ‘broadband above the clouds’, it’s faster than many homes enjoy on the ground.
The Oneworld member aims to have a dozen 777s kitted out by the end of this year, and its entire 777 fleet upgraded within 12 months; Qatar’s Airbus A350 fleet will follow, with work starting in mid-2025.
Simple one-click access
Qatar’s Starlink system can be used across multiple devices at a time, rather than forcing passengers to log out from their laptop before reconnecting on their smartphone for example, and it‘s all done with a simple ‘one-click-access’ procedure.
There’s no need to enter your name, seat number or frequent flyer number: just join the inflight OryxComms hotspot and you’re on the air.
Tom Boon, from aviation website Simple Flying, relates that he was “able to stream HD games in real time using Nvidia Geforce Now, running on servers in Europe” – and everything was as responsive “as if I was playing it on my home WiFi.”
That’s a key advantage of the Starlink network over conventional satellites, which can be parked as high as 36,000km.
Thousands of Starlink’s ‘micro-satellites’ are constantly whizzing around the planet in a low Earth orbit of 550km, making for less lag and faster signal turnaround.
Are inflight Zoom conference calls on their way..?
Qatar Airways sees its Starlink WiFi as not only unlocking live stream TV and video coverage but live video calls, which is bound to be contentious for many passengers.
There’ll be obvious novelty and sheer ‘wow’ value in video-calling your partner, family and friends on FaceTime or WhatsApp, let alone taking Zoom or Teams meetings aloft as you hop between timezones.
And there’s no reason to expect the inconsiderate habits which people display in airport lounges and other public places – speakerphone volume wound up, talking loudly without earbuds or headphones – will suddenly change because they're on a plane.
Executive Traveller has approached Qatar Airways to ask on how this might be dealt with by cabin crew.
Speaking with The Australian, Qatar Airways exec Xia Cai said the airline expected passengers using Starlink to be “respectful of those around them when making calls, playing games or streaming music... we would hope passengers would continue to conduct themselves appropriately.”
“Our crews are expertly trained in ensuring that the cabin environment is safe and pleasant for everyone,” Cai added.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 33
Let's hope the crew are able to "encourage" passengers to be respectful of those around them who chose to engage in phone calls where really no one wants to hear their conversation. It's bad enough sitting on public transport, restaurants and other public places having to listen to other people's conversations. Some people just like to get on a flight and hopefully enjoy some peace and quiet
23 Oct 2019
Total posts 8
The ability to stream videos via WiFi is a game-changer and opens up the ability for people to watch YouTube, Netflix, Twitch etc without having to download offline content. Could see this tech leading to no IFE flights on domestics and users just BYO devices and consume their own content via existing subscriptions.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 168
No zoom, facetime or WhatsApp video calls on the plane. Please. Ever.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Nov 2011
Total posts 130
Gos this is a terrible idea. Fast internet Yes but enabling calls? Why?! Can't we have some peace and quiet and escape? I was in the SQ lounge in Heathrow on Friday night and there was someone making loud video calls on speaker, right in the middle of a busy lounge. It's so rude and entitled!!
23 Oct 2024
Total posts 1
Who doesn't want decent wifi inflight? But the prospect of FaceTime, Zoom, Teams calls etc is enough to put me off flying Qatar. Hopefully they will block them. Otherwise as you quite rightly stated:
"And there’s no reason to expect the inconsiderate habits which people display in airport lounges and other public places – speakerphone volume wound up, talking loudly without earbuds or headphones – will suddenly change because they're on a plane".
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 9
While there may be an expection for people to be respectful of those around them, I think we can all appreciate that some people are just not capable of that and flights can bring out the worst in some. Que the handsfree loud calls, live streaming and so on. Cabin crew have enough of a workload in flight without policing that.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 5
Sounds like a damm nightmare. Everyone video calling when you are trying to sleep, bye bye Qatar
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 47
That's me voting with my feet. In my experience a small number of people will behave badly and that is all it takes. Big mistake Qatar. And that's separate to any views I hold of Elon Musk - for which this is not the place.
18 Feb 2018
Total posts 18
My goodness me! We've seen the exponential increase in inconsiderate passengers using devices in airport lounges without earphones and now Qatar are going to bring to us a deluge of loud FaceTime and Zoom calls at 40,000'.
I really liked travelling with Qatar but a fond farewell methinks (not that it'll even register with the airline).
Sigh........
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 23
God help us all. An excellent reason to not fly QR.
03 Mar 2023
Total posts 38
What a terrible idea. Zoom calls in business class (or anywhere on a plane) - just no!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 77
No, please no!
How often have we been forced to listen to ‘that guy’ who arrives on board full of himself, talking loudly and openly to whoever at the other end of the line about this person, that person and what he got up to last night, blah, blah, blah. At least now, that call gets terminated when the plane starts to move and there is some relative calm in the business class cabin. Step forward and we will have this go on for the entire journey.
Or, let’s grab the family together to call Aunty Joan on a FaceTime call from 40,000 feet. Happens now, just about anywhere but on a plane.
There is no way that inconsiderate people on the ground will not continue their lack consideration in the air. For that reason, Qatar will also be off my list if this goes ahead.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 May 2015
Total posts 21
It's a hard no from me. Would actively avoid any and all flights where even one person could sit there on a Zoom meeting and shout into their laptop next to me for 14 hours to Doha.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Mar 2024
Total posts 2
Hopefully they can do a better job of controlling loud calls, music, self importance on the flight....better than they can in their lounges
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 6
One of the worst ideas ever. A few months ago I was flying business class with Turkish Airlines and the man behind me made at least four business calls which needless to say was very intrusive. I asked the attendant if something could be done but the reply was No, the service was available. Mercifully dinner was served soon after and no more calls. Please, Qatar, limit what people can do to prevent intrusion on other passengers who have paid a lot for peace and quiet.
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