Ever tried streaming Netflix at 35,000 feet only to watch the loading wheel spin like a broken record? Saudia passengers might soon kiss those connectivity headaches goodbye. The Saudi flag carrier is in advanced talks with SpaceX to deploy Starlink internet across its entire fleet of more than 140 aircraft, potentially transforming how you experience long-haul flights through the Gulf.
High-Speed Internet Comes With a High Price Tag
Hardware installation alone costs up to $500,000 per aircraft, but the passenger experience upgrade could justify the investment.
This isn’t pocket change territory. Starlink’s airline service demands hardware installation costs between $300,000 and $500,000 per aircraft, plus monthly per-seat subscription fees. But for passengers enduring 14-hour flights to Asia or Europe, the difference between sluggish satellite internet and Starlink’s low-latency service feels transformational. Your video calls will actually work, downloads won’t timeout, and that work presentation won’t buffer endlessly.
Regulatory Patchwork Creates Connectivity Chaos
While Saudi Arabia embraces Starlink, neighboring UAE restrictions complicate regional rollout plans.
Saudi Arabia approved Starlink for aviation and maritime services in May 2025, clearing regulatory hurdles for the Saudia deal. Qatar Airways already operates Starlink on over 40 Boeing 777 aircraft, proving Gulf carriers see value in satellite connectivity. But the UAE maintains restrictions on Starlink usage, leaving Emirates and Flydubai negotiations in limbo. Your flight experience increasingly depends on which country’s airspace you’re crossing.
Battle for the Skies Intensifies Competition
Starlink’s Gulf expansion directly challenges established players like Viasat and Saudi Arabia’s own Neo Space Group.
This partnership represents more than upgraded WiFi—it’s Elon Musk’s latest Middle Eastern power play. Starlink faces competition from Viasat’s established airline partnerships and Neo Space Group, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and developing homegrown satellite connectivity. The stakes extend beyond passenger convenience into national technology sovereignty. Airlines now choose between American innovation, legacy providers, or domestic alternatives.
If you’re planning Gulf connections anytime soon, these WiFi wars mean your streaming quality might finally match your altitude expectations. The deal isn’t finalized yet, but Saudia’s willingness to invest hundreds of millions in connectivity hardware signals that seamless internet at 40,000 feet is becoming table stakes for premium carriers.
