Emirates announced at the Dubai Airshow that it will retrofit all 232 active aircraft—both A380s and 777s—with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, making high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi free for every passenger. The first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777-300ER (A6-EPF) returns to commercial service this week.
Installation will proceed at a rate of 14 jets per month, finishing the Boeing fleet by late 2026 and the A380s by mid-2027. Two antennae per 777 and three per A380 will provide gate-to-gate connectivity capable of streaming and VPN use—welcome news for executives who rely on in-flight productivity.
![Emirates to Equip Entire Fleet with Free Starlink Wi-Fi, Starting Immediately]()
The move leapfrogs regional rivals, many of whom still charge for limited-bandwidth satellite packages. Travel-management companies expect the perk to influence carrier selection on high-yield routes such as Dubai–London and Dubai–Sydney, where 60% of premium-cabin travellers are corporate.
Regulators have already cleared Starlink Ku-band frequencies in UAE airspace, and Emirates says data will be routed through UAE-based servers to comply with national cybersecurity law.
Installation will proceed at a rate of 14 jets per month, finishing the Boeing fleet by late 2026 and the A380s by mid-2027. Two antennae per 777 and three per A380 will provide gate-to-gate connectivity capable of streaming and VPN use—welcome news for executives who rely on in-flight productivity.
The move leapfrogs regional rivals, many of whom still charge for limited-bandwidth satellite packages. Travel-management companies expect the perk to influence carrier selection on high-yield routes such as Dubai–London and Dubai–Sydney, where 60% of premium-cabin travellers are corporate.
Regulators have already cleared Starlink Ku-band frequencies in UAE airspace, and Emirates says data will be routed through UAE-based servers to comply with national cybersecurity law.
