Ethiopian Airlines vs Qatar Airways Wi-Fi

Same route, different metal. The tables below are the two carriers' live registry entries, per aircraft type, so the comparison stays current as their rollouts move.

Ethiopian Airlines

A350Email & browsing

Ka-band satellite via Thales Avionics, SITA FOR AIRCRAFT and Collins Aerospace; A350-1000s use Inmarsat GX Aviation under the Airbus HBCplus program

777, 787Email & browsing

Same Thales / SITA FOR AIRCRAFT / Collins Ka-band platform; Ethiopian states 'most' of its 777s and 787s are equipped

· Paid Sheba SkyConnect passes: $5 for 1 hour, $10 for 2 hours, $25 full flight
· Complimentary 1-hour pass for Business Class passengers and Platinum ShebaMiles members
· Vouchers can be bought pre-flight at ticket offices, check-in or the gate, or onboard from crew

Qatar Airways

777, A350Video calls work

Starlink

787Varies by aircraft

787-8 sub-fleet fully equipped (completed in seven months); first Starlink 787-9 in service, more than half the 787 fleet equipped and the type due to complete by end of 2026; Inmarsat GX/SITA OnAir until fitted

A380, A330Email & browsing

Inmarsat GX / SITA OnAir

NarrowbodiesNo Wi-Fi

None yet on the A320 family (final phase of the Starlink programme)

Rest of fleetVaries by aircraft

Starlink on 150 widebodies as of 20 August 2026: the 777, A350 and 787-8 programmes are complete and more than 83% of the widebody fleet is connected

· Starlink on the 777, A350 and 787 is free, but only 45 minutes for a passenger who is not a Privilege Club member
· Members get the whole flight and joining is free
· Gate-to-gate at select airports only

Ethiopian Airlines vs Qatar Airways Wi-Fi questions

Does Ethiopian Airlines or Qatar Airways have better Wi-Fi?

As of September 2026, Ethiopian Airlines's fleet-level verdict is "Email & browsing" and Qatar Airways's is "Not on every aircraft". On mid-rollout fleets the answer changes with the specific aircraft, so check the per-aircraft tables for the plane on your route.

Is Wi-Fi free on Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways?

Ethiopian Airlines: Paid Sheba SkyConnect passes: $5 for 1 hour, $10 for 2 hours, $25 full flight; Complimentary 1-hour pass for Business Class passengers and Platinum ShebaMiles members; Vouchers can be bought pre-flight at ticket offices, check-in or the gate, or onboard from crew. Qatar Airways: Starlink on the 777, A350 and 787 is free, but only 45 minutes for a passenger who is not a Privilege Club member; Members get the whole flight and joining is free; Gate-to-gate at select airports only.

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