Korean Air, and its fellow Hanjin Group airlines, are finally getting with the times. The airlines have finally announced that they will install Starlink Wi-Fi onboard. This is a major development as Korean air didn’t have any aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi until 2023. Currently, only a small fraction of the airline’s fleet has the service. Thankfully that is all changing.
Korean Air, Hanjin Group Airlines are Adding Starlink Wi-Fi Fleetwide
Korean Air, along with Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul, will introduce Starlink’s high-speed satellite Wi-Fi across their fleets, making them the first carriers in the country to adopt SpaceX’s low Earth orbit (LEO) system.
This upgrade comes as Korean Air and Asiana prepare to fully integrate their operations, along with the introduction of a new corporate identity, signaling massive upgrades to the passenger experience across the carriers.
While the full rollout timeline is not yet known, Korean Air will prioritize installation on its long-haul aircraft, like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 and it doesn’t plan on starting the retrofits until the second half of 2026. Once the airline completes its purchase of Asiana, the full fleet will be upgraded by the end of 2027.
Jin Air is expected to first install the service on its Boeing 737-8 aircraft before outfitting the rest of its fleet. Air Busan and Air Seoul will review their current fleet plans before determining a rollout plan.
A spokesperson for Korean Air said this about the introduction of the service:
“Connectivity is an essential part of the travel experience, and with Starlink, our customers will stay connected with fast and seamless internet. 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, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX, added:
“We’re 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.”
My Thoughts
Airlines are increasingly turning to Starlink for its onboard Wi-Fi product. Recently we’ve seen Emirates, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, and more announce the introduction of the product. In most cases, airlines are able to provide fast, and free, service using the system.
While Korean Air and other Hanjin Group airlines haven’t mentions whether or not the service will be offered at no cost, this is still a major improvement for passengers. As I mentioned above, Korean Air hasn’t typically installed Wi-Fi on its aircraft and only began doing so in 2023. Currently, a small portion of the fleet is equipped with the service, though it is extremely slow.
The airline operates an extensive long-haul route network and the lack of in-flight connectivity has certainly turned people away that need to be productive in the air. While we are still going to have to wait a while to see the service offered fleetwide, this is a welcome announcement. Maybe the airline will announce service to Austin next, who knows?
Summary
Korean Air, and other Hanjin Group airlines, announced that it will install Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleets beginning in 2026. While the full rollout timeline isn’t yet known, all Korean Air planes are expected to be equipped with the service by the end of 2027.