Korean Air and Hanjin Group airlines select Starlink Wi-Fi for entire fleet
Korean Air, alongside Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul, will introduce Starlink
Korean Air, alongside Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul, will introduce Starlink high-speed inflight Wi-Fi to its entire fleet.
This marks the first time a South Korean airline will adopt Starlink for inflight connectivity, the December 5 press release said.
Starlink, SpaceX’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, delivers peak broadband speeds of up to 500 Mbps, enabling passengers to enjoy seamless streaming, online gaming, video calls, cloud-based work, shopping and messaging. With Starlink, passengers across all cabins will have access to fast, reliable inflight Wi-Fi, allowing them to stay connected in the air.
All five airlines will begin installation preparation and testing later this year. Rollout schedules will vary by carrier, with the earliest service introduction expected as early as the third quarter of 2026.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will prioritize Starlink installation on its long-haul 777-300ER and A350-900 aircraft. Following the integration with Asiana Airlines, the airline plans to complete fleetwide installation by the end of 2027. Jin Air will first equip its 737-8 aircraft, and Air Busan and Air Seoul will review its fleet to determine installation priority.
Starlink operates more than 8,000 low Earth orbit satellites at approximately 550 km altitude, enabling data transfer superior to traditional inflight internet systems that rely on ground stations or geostationary satellites located over 35,000 km away.
"Connectivity is an essential part of the travel experience, and with Starlink, our customers will stay connected with fast and seamless internet,” said a Korean Air representative. “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.”
Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX, said, “We are thrilled to deliver industry-leading, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi fleetwide to Korean Air and Hanjin Group airlines and their guests. 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.”
