Qatar Airways Introduces Sports Streaming, Fed by Starlink Technology
In a groundbreaking move for the aviation industry, Qatar Airways has launched a new service that allows passengers to stream live sports events during their flights, thanks to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet. The service, announced between June 18 and June 23, 2025, is now available on select flights and aircraft equipped with Starlink connectivity.
Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer expressed his excitement, stating, "This new offering ensures our guests never miss a second of the action at 35,000 feet." With this service, passengers can catch Formula 1 races, Champions League action, Grand Slam tennis matches, or even the British Open in real-time while cruising across continents.
The live sports streaming service is made possible through a partnership between Qatar Airways and IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media, and fashion. This partnership aims to redefine the inflight experience, as Qatar Airways becomes the first global carrier to offer IMG's Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra channels as a dedicated streaming experience.
Qatar Airways is not alone in adopting this innovative technology. United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have also announced plans to outfit their fleets with Starlink Wi-Fi, following in Qatar Airways' footsteps. Hawaiian Airlines has already deployed Starlink Wi-Fi on its A321 aircraft, while Qatar Airways' Starlink service is now fully rolled out across its Boeing 777-300ER fleet and is expanding to its Airbus A350s. As of June 2025, Qatar Airways has completed over 12,000 Starlink-connected flights.
The Starlink Wi-Fi offered by Qatar Airways boasts broadband speeds that rival home internet, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable streaming experience for passengers. This makes it possible for passengers to watch their favorite sports live at 35,000 feet, including Wimbledon, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025TM, and the UEFA Women's EURO 2025.
IMG President Adam Kelly mentioned that live sport is one of the last remaining appointment-to-view events that people prefer to watch in real time. With Qatar Airways' new service, passengers no longer have to worry about missing out on their favorite sports events, even when they're thousands of miles above the ground.
Streaming is accessible through a dedicated web player on passengers' mobile phones, tablets, or laptops by scanning a QR code onboard. This convenient and user-friendly approach ensures that passengers can easily access and enjoy the live sports content during their flight.
By offering this innovative service, Qatar Airways is positioning itself as a leader in digital innovation in aviation. The airline's commitment to providing a premium inflight experience, combined with its exclusive access to IMG's premium sports content, sets a new standard for the industry.
References: [1] Qatar Airways Press Release, "Qatar Airways Launches Live Sports Streaming on Board its Flights Using SpaceX's Starlink Satellite Internet," June 2025. [2] The Verge, "Qatar Airways begins offering live sports streaming on board its flights using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet," June 2025. [3] CNET, "Qatar Airways offers live sports streaming on board its flights using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet," June 2025. [4] Engadget, "Qatar Airways launches live sports streaming on board its flights using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet," June 2025. [5] Business Insider, "Qatar Airways partners with IMG to launch live sports streaming on its flights using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet," June 2025.
Science and technology have merged to revolutionize the aviation industry, with Qatar Airways using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet to stream live sports events, such as Formula 1 races and Wimbledon, during flights. This innovative technology partnership with IMG aims to redefine the inflight experience, offering passengers a premium service that sets a new standard in the industry.
