Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Qatar Airways leads the aviation industry by offering free Starlink Wi-Fi with speeds up to 500 Mbps on its entire Boeing 777 fleet, setting new standards in inflight connectivity ahead of extending the service to its Airbus A350 planes.
Thales and Qatar Airways have expanded their partnership with a MoA to enhance inflight entertainment technology and establish a dedicated service centre in Doha. This move supports Qatar Airways’ fleet growth and digital transformation while contributing to Qatar’s aerospace ecosystem and job creation under Qatar Vision 2030.
Qatar Airways is the first airline to offer live sports streaming beyond the inflight system using Starlink connectivity, bringing IMG’s Sport 24 channels to passengers’ personal devices. This innovation enhances the travel experience with access to top global sports events in real time.
Qatar Airways will launch Starlink’s ultra-fast, complimentary Wi-Fi on flights between Cape Town and Doha starting June 1, providing seamless internet for streaming, gaming, and work. This comes as part of the airline’s broader rollout of Starlink across its fleet, enhancing the travel experience and deepening its ties with South Africa.
Qatar Airways unveiled an Arabic-enabled version of Sama, the world’s first AI digital cabin crew, at ATM 2025 in Dubai. The airline also introduced a virtual reality tour of Hamad International Airport and showcased its Qsuite Next Gen. Additionally, QA announced increased summer flights and signed new tourism partnerships.
Qatar Airways will showcase its latest travel innovations at the Arabian Travel Market, including Sama’s AI booking system, Qsuite – Next Gen, and Qverse. The airline will also unveil Sama’s Arabic-speaking capabilities, enhancing accessibility and cultural relevance for its AI-powered digital human cabin crew.
Qatar Airways is expanding its Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity to its Airbus A350 fleet, following the success of its Boeing 777 upgrade. The airline becomes the first to equip the A350 with Starlink, ensuring passengers enjoy ultra-fast Wi-Fi for streaming, gaming, and work at 35,000 feet, setting a new industry standard.
Qatar Airways unveiled innovative technologies at Web Summit Qatar 2025, including Sama’s AI Booking, Dream Destination – The Pulse, and QVerse Multi-Sensory Experience. These advancements aim to enhance passenger experiences with AI-driven tools for booking, travel, and personalized services, supporting Qatar’s vision for technological growth.
Qatar Airways has launched its first AI-powered virtual cabin crew member, Sama, at ITB Berlin 2024. Active on Instagram, Sama will provide personalized travel recommendations, engage users with destination content, and promote sustainability efforts. This initiative marks a significant shift toward AI-driven marketing in the airline industry.
Qatar Airways Cargo has partnered with Unilode Aviation Solutions to digitalise its fleet of over 42,000 Unit Load Devices (ULD). This collaboration will provide real-time visibility and data analytics, helping streamline operations, optimise resources, and improve asset utilisation, contributing to greater sustainability and efficiency in the aviation sector.