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Emirates Fits First A380 With Starlink, Speeds 2026 Rollout

The upgrade signals Emirates' push to offer free, home-like internet in the air.

Overview

  • Emirates, which announced the milestone Monday, said the first A380 with Starlink returned to Dubai after installation and certification in Newquay, UK.
  • The A380 now carries three Starlink antennas that deliver more than 2 Gbps of total bandwidth, replacing legacy systems that offered under 1 Mbps.
  • The setup is tailored for the double-deck jet with extra wireless access points to keep performance steady across both levels of the cabin.
  • Emirates will make Wi‑Fi free in every seat and plans live TV streaming via Starlink first on personal devices and later on seatback screens.
  • Installations move next to Emirates Engineering in Dubai for a faster 2026 rollout, building on 25 777‑300ERs already flying with Starlink used by more than 650,000 passengers.