Emirates in talks with Musk’s SpaceX for in-flight WiFi

• High-speed internet for fleet
• Regional Starlink aviation growth
• SpaceX competition from Viasat

Emirates airline is reportedly in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer in-flight WiFi services.

The Dubai carrier aims to offer Starlink service on its widebody fleet, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. 

Starlink is a low-orbit satellite network offering high-speed broadband services, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity. 

Emirates has 250 aircraft and has placed orders for more than 300 jets from Boeing and Airbus. 

It is unclear whether the Starlink service will be free for all passengers or only for loyalty members and premium-class passengers, the report said.

Starlink has not been certified for Emirates’ A380 double decker and Boeing’s 777, which make up more than half of the airline’s fleet. 

Talks are ongoing over pricing, with a source saying the airline will pay for each seat on a flight, even if it is empty. However, prices may drop if Emirates agrees to long-term contracts.

Most passengers on Emirates now pay for internet on board.

• Emirates Group delivers record annual profit
• Qatar Airways partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink
• Elon Musk’s Starlink starts operations in Oman

While the deal is not finalised, Emirates may partner with another internet provider such as California-based satellite broadband service provider Viasat.

Starlink services are currently not available in the UAE.

This week, Musk said Saudi Arabia has authorised the use of Starlink for aviation and maritime purposes as part of President Donald Trump’s Riyadh visit. 

Oman has already approved Starlink, while state-backed Qatar Airways announced in October it will provide Starlink internet service on all its flights within a year.