At the Dubai Airshow 2025, flydubai announced a major partnership with SpaceX to install Starlink satellite internet across its Boeing 737 fleet. Under the agreement, 100 aircraft will be retrofitted with Starlink in-flight connectivity, with roll-out scheduled to begin in 2026.
This move marks a major step for the Dubai-based carrier: Starlink will deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband on board, enabling services like HD video streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more, all while in the air. According to flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith, reliable connectivity is now “essential,” and Starlink helps the airline meet the evolving expectations of modern travellers.
From a technical perspective, the installation is impressively efficient: flydubai says the Starlink units can be installed in hours rather than days, making large-scale deployment across its 737 fleet both practical and scalable. For SpaceX, this agreement represents another validation of Starlink’s aviation product — and underscores the company’s ambition to serve global airlines with next-gen connectivity.
On the passenger side, what does this mean? Travelers flying with flydubai starting in 2026 can look forward to a real-time, “on-the-ground” internet experience at 30,000+ feet. Whether you're browsing social media, working on the go, or just watching your favourite show, Starlink aims to close the gap between in-flight Wi-Fi and home internet. According to SpaceX, the system will also support crew operations, giving flight attendants and pilots real-time access to data and communications.
Strategically, this partnership positions flydubai alongside major airlines adopting satellite-internet solutions. With over 100 destinations in its network, having strong connectivity on board could help the airline improve customer satisfaction, differentiate its product, and lean into its future growth.
In short: flydubai + SpaceX = a connectivity revolution in the sky. By 2026, passengers on many flydubai 737s will be able to stream, chat, work and game mid-flight without relying on slow or spotty satellite links of the past.
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