Qatar Airways hosts gaming competition at 35,000 feet with Starlink IFC
Qatar Airways presents "Gaming the Sky" event with Starlink connectivity
Qatar Airways has launched its pioneering e-sports competition onboard a commercial aircraft called “Gaming in the Sky.” The milestone event was powered by next-generation Starlink connectivity and took place on May 11 during a flight from Doha to London.
The tournament brought together a global roster of top gaming and entertainment talent, including Tfue, Castro1021, Lisa Zimouche, Alodia Gosiengfiao, Dantic, SV2, AJ3, Aameghessib, Danny Aarons, Ffearfful, MattHDGamer and Slater with a special appearance by Oussifooty as the host. The experience marked a new milestone in the convergence of aviation, entertainment and technology, the airline said in its press release.
At 35,000 feet, two teams — Team Burgundy Oryx and Team Grey Aviators — faced off in a friendly mid-air showdown. Enabled by Starlink’s ultra-fast, low-latency internet, players competed in real-time with uninterrupted gameplay and live updates on Qatar Airways’ social media channels.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “At Qatar Airways, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sky to deliver an in-flight experience that captures the imagination and makes you feel right at home. This competition represents a bold step into the future of passenger engagement and comfort when flying with Qatar Airways.”
Fans around the world followed the journey through Qatar Airways’ social media platforms, where inflight highlights and behind-the-scenes footage were shared throughout the flight.
The competition took place as Qatar Airways nears completion of its 777 fleet upgrade with Starlink connectivity, and just as the airline begins introducing the world’s first A350 equipped with Starlink. This strategic step is set to allow more passengers to enjoy fully complimentary, ultra-fast Wi-Fi for streaming, gaming and working seamlessly at 35,000 feet.
