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There’s now no question that Starlink WiFi is in vogue with the world’s major airlines because every few weeks seems to bring a new announcement that Starlink is being introduced to another fleet.
The latest airline to jump on the Starlink bandwagon is Emirates with the airline using the first day of the Dubai Airshow to confirm that it will install ultra-fast Starlink WiFi across its entire fleet.
Starlink WiFi will be free across all cabins
As is the case with all airlines who offer Starlink WiFi, once the equipment is installed, flyers will be able to connect to the internet free of change from gate to gate (this is a Starlink prerequisite and not an example of airline generosity) and Emirates has already said that it plans to roll this service out as swiftly as possible.
The roll out
Some of the airline’s 777s will be the first aircraft in the fleet to have the Starlink equipment fitted with the installations starting almost immediately – the work on one 777 has already been completed and it will enter service on 23 November 2025 (after the Dubai Airshow where it is currently demonstrating the new technology).
Emirates plans to retrofit Starlink WiFi to approximately 14 aircraft per month with the work on the A380 fleet commencing in February 2026, and the current plan is to have all 232 operational aircraft equipped with Starlink WiFi “by mid-2027”.
Emirates has also confirmed that it will install two antennae on each Boeing 777 aircraft, and three antennae on each Airbus A380 to ensure “the highest levels of connectivity, capacity and coverage across every cabin class for a better customer experience”.
The airline will also make Live TV over Starlink available, initially on personal devices and then on seatback screens “from late December 2025”.
Interestingly, the Emirates press release makes no specific mention of the airline’s A350-900 aircraft (it has 13 in the fleet with another 9 on the way), but I assume that these will also get the full Starlink treatment and are included in the 232 aircraft referenced in the press release.
What they said
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline has 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 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, 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.”
Bottom line
Emirates has confirmed that it will begin rolling out free, ultra-fast Starlink WiFi across its fleet starting almost immediately. The airline’s 777s will be the first to start getting the new technology, but the A380s won’t be far behind when they begin to be updated from February 2026 onwards.
