Comparing Emirates OnAir WiFi with Qatar's Starlink WiFi

News and opinions for mobile industry professionals highlight a clear winner: Qatar's Starlink connectivity outperforms Emirates OnAir WiFi with ease.

In-Flight Experience on Emirates A380

Currently aboard an Emirates A380 flying at 39,000 feet and 0.84 Mach, the author appreciates the spaciousness and consistent service Emirates offers across all classes. However, the experience with WiFi remains frustratingly outdated.

Pre-Flight Preparation

Every one of the 800+ passengers was required to pre-download content for offline access before boarding, just like a decade ago. For many, this involves securing Netflix shows for entertainment, but for the author, it means guessing which documents, presentations, and resources will be needed during the flight.

Limitations of Emirates WiFi

Emirates provides unlimited social networking for free when enrolled in their loyalty program.
For full internet access, users must pay: $6.99 for 30 minutes or $16.99 for the entire flight.
Paid internet promises 'unlimited' access but delivers about 0.50 Mbps, with intermittent connectivity and restricted usability.
Cloud-based AI services often remain inaccessible due to poor bandwidth and reliability.

"I'm generally going to be unable to get reliable, usable, access to cloud-based AI services."

The author finds the priced service inadequate for practical uses beyond basic social media.

Summary

Compared to newer solutions like Qatar's Starlink, Emirates' onboard WiFi feels outdated and limited, restricting passengers who rely on dependable internet and cloud service accessibility during flights.

"No contest at all: Qatar's Starlink connectivity wins hands down."

Author's conclusion: Emirates delivers excellent physical comfort and service, but its onboard WiFi fails to meet modern connectivity expectations.

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Mobile Industry Review — 2025-11-04