Korean Air and Hanjin Group airlines Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul will introduce Starlink high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi to their entire fleets.
This marks the first time a South Korean airline will adopt Starlink for in-flight connectivity, an initiative that aims to significantly elevate the passenger and crew experience ahead of the airlines’ full integration.
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, customers across all cabins will have access to fast, reliable in-flight Wi-Fi, allowing them to stay connected in the air as effortlessly as they would on the ground.
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 Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus 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 Boeing 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 in-flight 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’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.”
About Korean Air
Serving the world for more than 55 years, Korean Air is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, carrying more than 23 million passengers in 2024. With its global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), the airline serves 116 cities in 39 countries on five continents with a modern fleet of 165 aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees.
Korean Air’s outstanding performance and commitment to the highest level of safety and customer service has widely been recognized. The airline has been granted numerous awards including a 5-star airline rating from Skytrax as well as Airline of the Year from both Air Transport World and Airline Ratings. Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, and has grown into one of the largest transpacific airlines through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
About Starlink
Starlink is the world’s most advanced satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit, delivering reliable broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more. Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world’s leading provider of launch services, and the only provider with an orbital class reusable rocket – SpaceX has deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations. Learn more at www.starlink.com and follow @Starlink on X.
