Qatar Airways Makes History with First In-Flight Live Press Conference with Starlink

In a move that perfectly demonstrates the capabilities of their new Starlink Wi-Fi system, Qatar Airways just hosted what they're claiming is the first-ever live press conference at cruising altitude. Paris Saint-Germain's team, including captain Marquinhos and coach Luis Enrique, conducted live interviews and fan engagement while en route to Qatar for the Trophée des Champions.

As someone who spends a fair amount of time on Qatar Airways flights (they're my favourite airline), I find this particularly fascinating. Not just because it's a neat PR stunt, but because it shows the real-world potential of proper high-speed internet at 35,000 feet. We're talking about live video streaming, real-time journalist questions, and seamless fan interaction - all from a moving aircraft.

The event was specifically showcasing Qatar Airways' Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft. Having experienced various grades of in-flight Wi-Fi (including some particularly painful connections), the ability to conduct a full live broadcast is impressive.

For points collectors, this kind of innovation adds another layer of value to Qatar Airways redemptions. Being able to stay properly connected throughout a long-haul flight - whether for work or entertainment - makes those Avios redemptions even more worthwhile. If you're planning to try it out yourself, remember that Qatar Airways flights can be booked through British Airways Executive Club, and our Smart Redemptions tool can help you find the best-value routes.

What excites me most is how this might change the way we think about time spent in the air. Whether you're a business traveller needing to stay connected, or just someone who wants to stream the latest Netflix series without buffering, having genuine high-speed internet throughout your flight is a game-changer. Qatar Airways clearly understands this - it's innovative moves like this that helped earn them Skytrax's World's Best Airline award for 2024.

The press conference served as a brilliant demonstration of what's possible when you combine cutting-edge connectivity with creative thinking. I'm curious to see what other airlines might do with similar technology - perhaps we'll see more live events from the skies in the future?

If you're planning any Qatar Airways trips to experience this for yourself, don't forget to check Flight Seatmap to secure the best seat for your journey. And for those of you running low on Avios, now might be a good time to look at our recommended credit cards to boost your balance.

What do you think about this development? Would you tune in to watch a live event from a plane? Let us know over on our Instagram.