Korean Air has selected Starlink for its inflight connectivity across its fleet, and the delivery will also include Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul.
The high-speed Wi-Fi will be free, and all carriers will begin testing and installation work later this year.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will prioritize installation on long-haul Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Jin Air will begin with its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, while Air Busan and Air Seoul continue to review their fleet for an installation plan.
The carrier plans to have Starlink equipped across its full fleet by the end of 2027, following integration with Asiana.
“As Korea’s flag carrier and a leading global airline, we are committed to upgrading our services and infrastructure to deliver an elevated passenger journey as we strive to become the world’s most loved airline,” said a Korean Air representative.
Onboard Wi-Fi remains a headache for many Korean Air passengers today, as the carrier lags others in the inflight connectivity department. Korean Air only began offering Wi-Fi on some aircraft starting in 2023.
Once the installation is complete, this arguably provides Korean Air with one of the better onboard Wi-Fi experiences in the transpacific market. Cathay Pacific, while having expansive coverage, is a step behind with speeds with Intelsat’s 2Ku satellite technology.
Meanwhile, All Nippon Airways is installing high-speed Viasat Wi-Fi at an extremely slow pace, and Japan Airlines has yet to make any news and continues to offer slower speeds with its Panasonic Wi-Fi.
From the United States, Delta and American are expected to retrofit their long-haul aircraft with Viasat connectivity, while United is in the process of installing Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet.
“With Starlink onboard, you’ll be able to continue working productively, stream your favorite shows, and game just as you can do on the ground,” said Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX.
Featured image by Korean Air.
