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Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul are all set to have Starlink high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi installed across their fleets. This marks the first time a South Korean airline group will adopt the high-speed offering. The rollout represents a major upgrade to the passenger experience and comes as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines move toward full integration.
Starlink, powered by SpaceX’ network of more than 8,000 low Earth orbit satellites, delivers peak broadband speeds of up to 500 Mbps. The system supports online gaming, streaming, video conferencing, and more. Unlike traditional connectivity solutions relying on distant geostationary satellites or ground-based relays, Starlink’s lower altitude enables dramatically reduced latency and faster, more consistent performance.
Passengers across all cabins will gain access to the new Wi-Fi service to enable them to stay connected in the air with an experience similar to being on the ground. The service will also be available gate to gate, which expands its usefulness for travelers who want uninterrupted connectivity throughout the trip.
All five airlines under the group will begin preparation and testing later this year. Rollout timing will vary by carrier. The earliest aircraft are expected to enter service with Starlink as soon as the third quarter of 2026.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will prioritize long-haul aircraft and begin installation on Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Following the integration of Asiana into Korean Air, the combined airline plans to complete fleet-wide installation by the end of 2027. Jin Air will begin by equipping its Boeing 737-8 aircraft while Air Busan and Air Seoul will evaluate their fleets to determine installation priorities and timelines.
Despite South Korea’s reputation as a global technology leader, Korean Air did not offer inflight Wi-Fi until 2023. Only a limited number of newly delivered aircraft currently feature connectivity. The adoption of Starlink marks a dramatic shift and ensures that the country’s largest airline group will soon offer one of the most advanced in-flight internet systems available. Starlink continues to gain momentum across the airline industry. Carriers such as airBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, SAS, United, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet have all announced plans to install the service.
Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX, said:
We’re thrilled to deliver industry-leading, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi fleet-wide 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.”
Anthony’s Take: With Starlink set to be introduced throughout the fleets of Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul, passengers can expect fast inflight internet in the near future. This is a big leap for Korean Air and long overdue.
(Featured Image Credit: Korean Air.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
