Emirates Confirms Free Starlink Wi-Fi On 232 Boeing 777s And A380s

While Australian airlines are still trying to figure out dial-up level internet speeds in flight, Emirates is about to join the Starlink party in a big way (Qatar Airways already completed the rollout across its entire B777 fleet), committing to free, ultra fast Wi-Fi across its entire in-service fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft by mid-2027, with the first 777 entering commercial service on 23 November 2025.

Emirates Starlink Rollout

Emirates will fit Starlink on all 232 aircraft currently in service, starting with the Boeing 777 fleet from November 2025. The airline expects to complete the rollout by mid-2027, at a pace of around 14 aircraft per month. Installation on the A380 fleet is due to begin in February 2026.

The first Starlink-equipped aircraft is already front and centre at the Dubai Airshow: Boeing 777-300ER A6-EPF, which is on display at the show before re-entering commercial service as the launch aircraft for passengers.

To maximise bandwidth and coverage:

• Each Boeing 777 will get two Starlink antennae
• Each A380 will get three antennae, an industry first for that aircraft type

Emirates will also bring Live TV over Starlink, available first on personal devices and later integrated into seatback screens from late December 2025.

Crucially, this will not be a paid add-on:

• Free for every passenger, in every cabin
• No Skywards login required
• One-click access, with no payment screen in the way

What Passengers Can Expect From Starlink On Emirates

Starlink is SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellite network, designed to deliver home-style speeds at cruising altitude. On other Starlink-equipped airlines, passengers have already been able to stream video, use VPNs, game online and make video calls without the usual airborne lag.

On Emirates, the airline is promising “ground-quality internet at cruising altitude”, with connectivity available both via:

• Seatback screens, and
• Personal devices, simultaneously, across all cabins

For Australian flyers who value staying online from gate to gate, Emirates and Qatar Airways and United are now effectively racing to see who can offer the most consistent, truly free, Starlink-powered Wi-Fi footprint across their global networks. That competition is good news if you spend a lot of time working, streaming or doomscrolling at 40,000 feet.

Summing Up

Emirates moving its entire in-service 777 and A380 fleet to free Starlink Wi-Fi is a clear signal that inflight internet is shifting from “nice to have” to core product. Combined with the cabin retrofit programme, this rollout keeps Emirates competitive not only with regional rival Qatar Airways, but with the growing list of carriers betting on Starlink as the future of inflight connectivity.