Korean Air and Asiana Airlines to Launch Free In-Flight Starlink Wi-Fi from September 15

Sequential Introduction Starting With Retrofitted Wide-Body Aircraft

Ground-Level Internet Experience for Online Gaming, Work, and More

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will begin offering free high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi service based on Starlink starting September 15. Both airlines plan to launch the service on their retrofitted wide-body aircraft first and then gradually expand it to additional planes.

Korean Air will officially launch its Starlink-based in-flight Wi-Fi service on select flights. Initially, the service will be available on four aircraft: three Airbus A350-900s and one Boeing 777-300ER. These planes will primarily operate on mid- and long-haul routes to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and will also be assigned to certain short-haul routes. This marks the first time a major East Asian full-service carrier (FSC) has introduced the Starlink system.

Korean Air announced that it will start offering free in-flight Wi-Fi service based on Starlink on some flights. Korean Air

Asiana Airlines will also start the service on 10 aircraft: nine Airbus A350-900s and one A330-300, which have all been equipped with the necessary communication equipment. These aircraft will likewise be utilized mainly on mid- and long-haul routes to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Starlink utilizes a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network to provide internet connections that are faster and more stable than conventional in-flight Wi-Fi. Passengers will be able to access web browsing and messaging as well as OTT video and music streaming, online gaming, and more. Large file transfers and the use of cloud-based collaboration tools will also be possible, making it easier for travelers to handle work during long-haul flights.

Both airlines have made in-flight Wi-Fi available for free across all seat classes. Connecting is simple: passengers only need to switch their personal electronic devices, such as phones or tablets, to airplane mode and then join the in-flight Wi-Fi network. No separate membership registration is required.

However, some functions that may affect the comfort of other passengers, such as voice or video calls and live broadcasting on social media, will be restricted. This measure is aimed at ensuring flight safety and a pleasant onboard environment.

Both airlines plan to continue expanding the number of aircraft equipped with the Starlink service. Korean Air aims to provide Starlink-based Wi-Fi on most of its operating aircraft by the end of 2027. Asiana Airlines will sequentially roll out the service to additional aircraft, starting with the remaining A350-900s and A330-300s in its fleet.

This new service is also intended to enhance customer convenience ahead of the launch of the merged airline between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Both companies plan to use Starlink to provide an internet environment in-flight that closely resembles that on the ground, thereby improving the passenger experience.

A Korean Air representative stated, "Through in-flight Wi-Fi based on Starlink, we will ensure that passengers can conveniently enjoy a wide range of digital services even during flight," adding, "As we launch the integrated airline, we will continue to introduce a variety of services aimed at improving customer satisfaction."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.