Korean Air will deploy the Starlink inflight internet solution across its fleet, and it will bring Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul along for the ride.
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.
– Korean Air representative
Testing and deployment timing will vary, with the first aircraft expected to fly in Q3 2026. A full fleet deployment for Korean including its acquisition and integration of the Asiana fleet, is expected by the end of 2027. The carriers will focus on the 777-300ER and A350-900 to start.
Jin Air will first equip its Boeing 737-8 aircraft. Air Busan and Air Seoul will set installation timing and fleet priority at a later date.
Korean’s Long and Winding Path to Full Fleet IFC
Korean is no stranger to the inflight internet world. The carrier was an early customer for the Conexxion by Boeing product and completed installs on 10 aircraft before the service was shuttered in early 2006. Over the two decades since that first foray the company has seen mixed success.
Notably, the carrier’s delay in deploying a service over the years mostly hinged on not being able to keep pace with consumers’ expectations, particularly as the terrestrial networks in Korea perform so well. With local buses in Seoul providing gigabit WiFi performance even the best inflight offerings are going to have trouble keeping up.
Still, an update to the widebody fleet was announced in 2019, when Chairman and CEO Walter Cho suggested it was necessary to bring the carrier’s service “to the level where our customers’ needs are.” The carrier was deep in the vendor selection process at that time. Just months later, however, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, derailing that plan.
The carrier also inked a deal with Panasonic Avionics in early 2019 install the Global Connectivity Suite WiFi service on its fleet of 737 MAX aircraft. Those installs have occurred apace, albeit delayed because of the type’s grounding.
Earlier this year the PAC deployment expanded to include a roaming agreement with SK Telink. That deal allows cell phone users to seamlessly move from ground to satellite connectivity on the Korean fleet.
With the upcoming Starlink deal covering the entirety of Korean’s aircraft, however, that roaming agreement (and the PAC installs) would seem to be slated for a sunset by the end of 2027.
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Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.
He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.
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