Qatar Airways’ new Starlink-powered inflight WiFi system is fast, free and unlimited – and wide open to everything from standard Web browsing to FaceTime video chats, Zoom calls and even online gaming.

That’s the take-away from this week’s launch of the first Qatar Airways Boeing 777 fitted with Starlink tech from the communications satellite arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture.

Speeds on that inaugural flight clocked a reliable 150Mbps for downloads, with the uplink at 50Mpbs. This is not only real ‘broadband above the clouds’, it’s faster than many homes enjoy on the ground.

The Oneworld member aims to have a dozen 777s kitted out by the end of this year, and its entire 777 fleet upgraded within 12 months; Qatar’s Airbus A350 fleet will follow, with work starting in mid-2025.

Simple one-click access

Qatar’s Starlink system can be used across multiple devices at a time, rather than forcing passengers to log out from their laptop before reconnecting on their smartphone for example, and it‘s all done with a simple ‘one-click-access’ procedure.

There’s no need to enter your name, seat number or frequent flyer number: just join the inflight OryxComms hotspot and you’re on the air.

Tom Boon, from aviation website Simple Flying, relates that he was “able to stream HD games in real time using Nvidia Geforce Now, running on servers in Europe” – and everything was as responsive “as if I was playing it on my home WiFi.”

That’s a key advantage of the Starlink network over conventional satellites, which can be parked as high as 36,000km.

Thousands of Starlink’s ‘micro-satellites’ are constantly whizzing around the planet in a low Earth orbit of 550km, making for less lag and faster signal turnaround.

Qatar Airways sees its Starlink WiFi as not only unlocking live stream TV and video coverage but live video calls, which is bound to be contentious for many passengers.

There’ll be obvious novelty and sheer ‘wow’ value in video-calling your partner, family and friends on FaceTime or WhatsApp, let alone taking Zoom or Teams meetings aloft as you hop between timezones.

And there’s no reason to expect the inconsiderate habits which people display in airport lounges and other public places – speakerphone volume wound up, talking loudly without earbuds or headphones – will suddenly change because they’re on a plane.

Executive Traveller has approached Qatar Airways to ask on how this might be dealt with by cabin crew.

Speaking with The Australian, Qatar Airways exec 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.”

“Our crews are expertly trained in ensuring that the cabin environment is safe and pleasant for everyone,” Cai added.