Qatar Airways vs Emirates 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.

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

Emirates

Whole fleetVaries by aircraft

Panasonic/Thales GEO on unfitted aircraft; Starlink in service (33 Boeing 777 and 3 A380 flying as of Jul 2026, ~150 aircraft by end of 2026, all 232 777s and A380s by mid-2027)

· Free in all cabins on Starlink-fitted aircraft
· On GEO aircraft, free tiers for Skywards members with full access paid or premium-cabin

Qatar Airways vs Emirates Wi-Fi questions

Does Qatar Airways or Emirates have better Wi-Fi?

As of September 2026, Qatar Airways's fleet-level verdict is "Not on every aircraft" and Emirates's is "Varies by 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 Qatar Airways and Emirates?

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. Emirates: Free in all cabins on Starlink-fitted aircraft; On GEO aircraft, free tiers for Skywards members with full access paid or premium-cabin.

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FlightWifi shows these verdicts inline on Google Flights, Skyscanner and Rift, matched to the exact aircraft on your flight.

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