First aircraft equipped with the service is a Boeing B777-300ER
Project to cover the entire fleet of 232 aircraft by mid-2027
14 aircraft to be equipped per month, with installation on its Airbus A380 aircraft to start in February 2026
Starlink Wi-Fi completely free for all customers in all cabin classes
Emirates announced the start of a comprehensive plan to install Starlink high-speed internet on all aircraft in its operating fleet, beginning this November on its Boeing B777 aircraft, with the project to be completed by mid-2027.
Emirates stated that this free service for passengers provides internet connectivity at cruising altitudes with speeds matching the quality of ground-based internet, reinforcing the carrier's firm commitment to providing the best connectivity experiences in the global aviation industry.
The Starlink service will allow Emirates passengers to enjoy streaming content, online gaming, making calls, working and browsing social media throughout the flight, on both seatback screens and personal devices at the same time. This technological integration represents a qualitative leap toward a fully connected experience in all cabin classes on Emirates.
Emirates plans to install Starlink technology on all 232 aircraft in its operating fleet over the next two years. The first aircraft has already been equipped with the service: a Boeing B777-300ER registered A6-EPF, currently on display at the Dubai Airshow, being held from November 17 to 21, where visitors can test the connection speed while it is on the ground.
Emirates' first commercial flight equipped with Starlink will take off immediately after the airshow, when A6-EPF returns to operational service on November 23, marking the start of the plan's wider rollout. Emirates aims to equip 14 aircraft per month, with installation on its Airbus A380 fleet set to begin in February 2026.
Emirates explained that it will install two antennas on each Boeing B777 aircraft and, in an industry first, three antennas on each Airbus A380 aircraft, to ensure the best coverage and connectivity capacity across all cabin classes and enrich the customer experience. The service will also enable live TV streaming via Starlink, first on personal devices and then on seatback screens from the end of December 2025.
Free Service With No Conditions
Starlink Wi-Fi will be completely free for all customers in all cabin classes on equipped aircraft, via direct one-click access without the need for any payment or Skywards membership.
In this context, Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said: "Our partnership with Starlink is a defining strategic milestone in our journey to cement our global leadership in the air travel experience and to embody our firm commitment to customers to travel with 'constant excellence.' Today we are raising onboard connectivity standards to an unprecedented level through the world's fastest Wi-Fi network, making seamless productivity, instant communication with family and friends, and constant connection to the digital world an essential part of the Emirates travel experience. This step is just a new chapter in the comprehensive transformation journey we are leading across our fleet."
He added: "The installation of Starlink technologies comes in parallel with the implementation of the largest cabin retrofit program in aviation history, which includes the launch of all-new Premium Economy cabins, upgrades to Business Class and a refresh of First Class, alongside expanded entertainment systems and the world's best connectivity services. These integrated transformations underline our determination to redefine the flying experience and cement Emirates' position as a global benchmark for innovation, quality and excellence."
He continued: "Our philosophy at Emirates is simple in substance but profound in impact: consistently delivering the best without exception. While some airlines' products vary across their different fleets, we are committed to unifying standards of excellence and ensuring that all our customers enjoy the best Emirates products and services on all flights and aircraft. That is why we are investing in the comprehensive retrofit program for our fleet, because we believe that maintaining leadership only comes with continuous modernization."
He stressed that advanced connectivity, luxurious cabins, diverse entertainment systems and the refined service provided by our crew members all represent pillars of our commitment to enhancing the travel experience and raising its standards globally, and to cementing Emirates' position as a symbol of excellence and inspiration in the world of aviation.
For his part, Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations at SpaceX, stated that with Starlink available on board Emirates flights, passengers will be able to stream, game and make video calls seamlessly, just as if they were on the ground, adding that the company looks forward to bringing about a real transformation in the travel experience on board Emirates and supporting the rapid installation of the Starlink service, while maintaining the highest levels of service quality.
The Starlink service is a new chapter in Emirates' journey to continuously elevate its customers' onboard experience, alongside the world's widest in-flight entertainment system, featuring more than 6,500 channels of on-demand content, and signature experiences such as the Onboard Lounge and the First Class Shower Spa on board the iconic A380.
This strategic integration also reflects the scale of Emirates' ambitious fleet retrofit program, which covers about 220 aircraft. The Emirates Engineering Centre team has so far fully retrofitted 76 aircraft, equipping them with the increasingly popular Premium Economy cabins, a redesigned Business Class offering more privacy and comfort, and refreshed First Class suites in a more luxurious and distinctive style, along with integrated qualitative improvements across all cabin classes.
