Emirates Speeds Starlink Rollout to 232 Aircraft by Mid-2027 as Demand Climbs
Updated
Updated · The National · Jun 10
Emirates Speeds Starlink Rollout to 232 Aircraft by Mid-2027 as Demand Climbs
2 articles · Updated · The National · Jun 10
Summary
More than 650,000 Emirates passengers have already used Starlink, prompting the airline to bring forward plans to equip all 232 in-service aircraft by mid-2027.
Low-Earth-orbit connectivity is driving that push with lower latency and faster speeds that support streaming, messaging and video calls more reliably in flight.
Budget carriers remain divided on whether to follow: Ryanair's Michael O'Leary has warned about equipment costs and added fuel burn, while Wizz Air and other low-cost operators plan adoption.
Amadeus travel chief Decius Valmorbida said the service is becoming a "must-have," underscoring how satellite internet is reshaping passenger expectations for onboard connectivity.