Korean Air announced on Sept. 11 that it will offer free satellite Wi-Fi powered by Starlink on select flights starting Sept. 15. The airline will be the first full-service carrier in East Asia to adopt Starlink’s satellite internet system, following about 30 major airlines worldwide that have already adopted the technology.
Wi-Fi Speeds Comparable to Those on the Ground
The initial phase will roll out Wi-Fi on four aircraft: three Airbus A350-900s and one Boeing 777-300ER. These aircraft will mainly cover long-haul flights to the Americas, Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as some key short-haul flights.
Passengers can connect by turning on airplane mode and wifi on their devices and selecting the available network. They will need to verify their identity by entering their name and seat number.
They can browse the internet, connect with loved ones and access a wide variety of content, including over-the-top (OTT) streaming, games and webtoons. However, voice and video calls or live streaming will be prohibited, while access to insecure or illegal websites will be blocked.
This service is also restricted in the airspace of certain countries, such as China, India and Pakistan, and may be unavailable due to satellite communication issues or adverse weather conditions.
Korean Air aims to expand its Starlink services to most of its operating aircraft by the end of 2027. Following the planned integration of Asiana Airlines in December, the combined airline is also expected to expand access to free in-flight Wi-Fi. Passengers on aircraft not yet equipped with Starlink can continue to use Korean Air’s existing paid Wi-Fi service.
The History of In-Flight Wi-Fi
Germany’s Lufthansa was the first airline to offer commercial Wi-Fi-based high-speed internet to passengers in 2004. “Lufthansa’s commercial Wi-Fi service, in partnership with Connexion by Boeing, launched in 2004 on transatlantic routes including Frankfurt to Washington Dulles, making it the world’s first airline to offer high-speed in-flight internet connectivity.
According to Aerospace Global News, seven out of 10 airlines worldwide now offer in-flight Wi-Fi services. Since Lufthansa’s first introduction of commercial Wi-Fi, connectivity has become an increasingly common feature that enhances passenger experience.
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