Starlink High-Speed Wi-Fi to Roll Out on Gulf Air Fleet
- Airbus A320s to get Starlink first
- Installation in the mid-year
- Free internet onboard
Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, has announced a historic partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink service to introduce high-speed Wi-Fi on its flights, offering passengers a futuristic flying experience. The installation process is set to begin this year, with the airline aiming to have the first aircraft online by mid-year.
Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air, told the Daily Tribune, “We are currently working on the approval process, and the next step could start by the middle of this year.” He added that the implementation timeline will depend on regulatory approvals for different aircraft types.
“Some aircraft types haven’t been done yet, and Gulf Air is among the first airlines to adopt Starlink. Each airline requires unique certification, which is beyond our control,” Gauss explained. He confirmed that the Airbus A320 will be the first Gulf Air aircraft to receive Starlink Wi-Fi.
Under the agreement, Starlink will initially operate on Gulf Air’s Airbus A320 fleet before being rolled out across the airline’s entire network. The state-owned carrier will offer the service free of charge to passengers.
Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Hussein Taqi, highlighted that introducing Starlink across Gulf Air’s fleet reflects the airline’s ongoing commitment to elevating the passenger experience and providing advanced connectivity on every flight. He added that this initiative aligns with Bahrain’s digital transformation goals and enables flight crews to deliver more efficient and exceptional services to all travelers.
The deal marks another milestone for SpaceX, which has established a strong presence in the global aviation market by providing some of the fastest in-flight Internet speeds via its constellation of approximately 8,000 satellites. Over the past year, SpaceX has partnered with major carriers, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and leading Middle Eastern airlines.
In the Gulf region, Qatar Airways became the first airline to introduce Starlink in 2024, followed by recent agreements with Emirates and Flydubai.
Gulf Air currently operates a fleet of around 40 aircraft, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320 and A321 jets. In July, the airline purchased 18 additional Dreamliners to expand its operations.
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