Introduction of SpaceX's Satellite Internet Service "Starlink"
Five airlines under Hanjin Group, including Korean Air, will introduce Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX in the United States, as their in-flight Wi-Fi solution.
Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul announced on December 5 that they plan to sequentially equip all their aircraft with Starlink’s in-flight Wi-Fi system.
A company representative explained that this initiative aims to provide a new level of travel service ahead of the full-scale integration of Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul. This marks the first time a Korean airline has adopted Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi.
With this introduction, passengers flying with the five Hanjin Group airlines can expect a significant improvement in their in-flight internet experience. Starlink utilizes more than 8,000 low Earth orbit satellites (at an altitude of approximately 550 km) to deliver data at speeds of up to 500 Mbps.
Passengers will have access to high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi in all seat classes on board. They will be able to enjoy uninterrupted OTT streaming services, online gaming and shopping, news viewing, and messaging. In addition, continuous work such as large file transfers and the use of cloud-based collaboration tools will be possible, just as on the ground, which is expected to boost customer satisfaction.
The Hanjin Group airlines will begin preparations, including all necessary processes and testing for Starlink adoption, starting at the end of this year. The service launch timing will vary by airline, but it is expected to begin as early as the third quarter of 2026.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines plan to first install the system on their long-haul aircraft, specifically the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900 models. Both airlines aim to complete sequential installation across all aircraft by the end of 2027 following their integration. Jin Air will introduce the Starlink system starting with its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, which already offer in-flight Wi-Fi. Air Busan and Air Seoul are currently reviewing which aircraft models to prioritize for installation.
A Korean Air representative emphasized, "As Korea's flagship carrier and a global airline, we will continue to invest and strive tirelessly to enhance customer service, in line with our reputation."
Hanjin Group announced that its five affiliated airlines will adopt Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX in the United States. Photo by Korean Air
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