Major Middle Eastern carriers are rapidly upgrading their inflight connectivity, bringing high-speed, streaming-grade internet to passengers across regional and international routes. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Saudia, Flydubai, and Flynas have all taken significant steps toward making reliable Wi-Fi a standard part of the travel experience.
Saudia has begun operating its first fully internet-enabled aircraft, offering speeds up to 300 Mbps with plans to reach 800 Mbps soon. Nearly 20 aircraft are already equipped, marking a major leap in onboard digital services. Emirates is rolling out free ultra-fast Wi-Fi on 232 wide-body aircraft through its partnership with Starlink, with full installation expected by mid-2027 and promising “ground-quality” connectivity at cruising altitude.
Flydubai is deploying Starlink Wi-Fi across 100 Boeing 737 aircraft starting in 2026. Qatar Airways continues its hybrid approach, offering both free and paid Wi-Fi options. Saudi Arabia’s Flynas has activated air-to-ground internet through SkyFive, enabling fast, reliable onboard connectivity across the Kingdom.
Currently, Emirates, Flydubai, and Saudia offer free inflight Wi-Fi, while Qatar Airways provides limited free access with paid upgrades. Connectivity is delivered through air-to-ground networks for flights over land and satellite systems for coverage across oceans and remote regions. With these upgrades, passengers can now check email, join video calls, stream content, and even game online at 40,000 feet.
