Korean Air launches free Starlink Wifi

Korean Air has launched free Starlink wifi from 15 September
The service debuts on four retrofitted widebody jets
Fleet-wide expansion is planned by the end of 2027
Voice and video calls are blocked
Hanjin group airlines will all adopt Starlink

Korean Air has switched on complimentary high-speed Starlink wifi from 15 September, giving passengers broadband connectivity across all cabin classes. The complimentary service debuts on select flights before expanding fleet-wide next year. The move makes Korean Air the first full-service carrier in East Asia to adopt the satellite internet service.

The free Starlink service debuts on four newly retrofitted widebody jets: three Airbus A350-900s and one Boeing 777-300ER. These aircraft will fly a mix of medium- and long-haul routes across the Americas, Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as some shorter regional sectors. Korean Air plans to extend Starlink progressively across its in-service fleet by the end of 2027. Until an aircraft is retrofitted, it will continue running the airline’s existing paid wifi service. Korean Air charges from $4.95 for full-flight Starlink access on domestic flights and up to $20.95 for the same on long-haul flights.

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Korean Air stated that its Starlink network will support HD video and music streaming, online gaming, web browsing and cloud-based apps. Voice and video calls are blocked. Parent group Hanjin confirmed last December that Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul would all adopt Starlink across their respective fleets. Qatar Airways is the Starlink pace-setter, with 150 widebody aircraft now fitted. Emirates is working through its own retrofit en route to 232 aircraft by mid-2027. United has begun offering the service on widebody transatlantic flights. Lufthansa Group is retrofitting 850 aircraft, and Wizz Air became the first major low-cost carrier to commit to the system.