Qatar Airways to let passengers make video calls with Starlink technology

Qatar Airways is claiming a new first in the skies, becoming the only international airline to allow passengers to make video calls or hold Zoom meetings.

While Qantas international passengers await the rollout of on-board Wi-Fi, rival Qatar Airways has taken in-flight connectivity to a new level, with customers now able to make video calls and even hold Zoom meetings in the sky.

The high-speed internet capability is currently available on board one Qatar Boeing 777 which has been equipped with Elon Musk’s Starlink technology.

Eleven more 777s will be fitted out by year’s end, while the entire 777 fleet is to be Starlink-equipped within 12 months, including those aircraft on Australian routes.

Qatar’s A350 fleet will follow, with work to start in mid-2025.

To mark the milestone, Qatar Airways chief executive Badr Mohammed Al-Meer tested the technology in-flight in a video call to Mr Musk, who was at his home in the US.

It is believed to be the first international airline in the world to allow video calls by passengers during flights. Hawaiian Airlines also has Starlink technology on its A330 and A321neo planes, but prohibits voice and video calls.

Qatar Airways senior vice-president of product development 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, as they do while travelling on the ground and using internet services,” Ms Cai said.

“Our crews are expertly trained in ensuring that the cabin environment is safe and pleasant for everyone. Adding new technology to flights will not change this approach and I am grateful for their continued ability to ensure our aircraft are operated to the highest standards.”

Mr Al-Meer said he was thrilled to launch the airline’s first Starlink-equipped flight “proving once again why Qatar Airways is at the forefront of the aviation industry”.

“This milestone, paired with our commitment to rapidly rollout Starlink across our entire modern fleet, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of offering passengers an in-flight experience that transcends the constraints of traditional air travel,” Mr Al-Meer said.

All passengers would be able to access Starlink at no extra cost in-flight, and the service would be available from “gate to gate”.

Currently, most in-flight Wi-Fi services were not turned on until the aircraft reached cruise altitude, and connections were not considered reliable over water.

About 40 of Elon Musk's Starlink satellites streaking through the night sky over Lethbridge in western Sydney. Picture: Rodd Westwood

Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s largest constellation of satellites using a low Earth orbit to deliver internet access across the globe, including over oceans and other remote locations.

Mr Musk said the Starlink service would get “better and better” over time.

“This is the minimum and it only gets better from here,” he said.

As well as video calls, Qatar Airways expected passengers would use the high-speed internet access to stream entertainment, connect with friends and family, watch live sports and work at 35,000 feet.

A latecomer to Wi-Fi on international flights, Qantas planned to have its A330 fleet servicing Southeast Asia equipped with high-speed internet access by the end of the year.

The technology would then be installed on Boeing 787s and A380s, while new A350s due to start arriving in 2026 would come with internet capability built in.

Qantas domestic flights have offered Wi-Fi since 2017, and a spokesman confirmed they did not allow video or voice calls in-flight for the comfort of other passengers.

Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia are currently awaiting regulatory approval to expand their partnership to include wet lease flights.

Under the planned arrangement, Qatar will provide aircraft, pilots and crew for flights sold as Virgin Australia services from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to Doha from June 2025.

Originally published as Qatar Airways to let passengers make video calls with Starlink technology