Starlink by SpaceX has won another customer, this time to provide connectivity for the South Korean Hanjin Group of companies.
Hanjin Group includes leaders such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, as well as Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul. All aircraft in their fleets will move onto the Starlink connectivity platform.
This marks the first time a South Korean airline will adopt Starlink for in-flight connectivity. This initiative aims to elevate the passenger and crew experience ahead of the airlines’ full integration.
All five airlines will begin preparations for installation and testing later this year. Rollout schedules will vary by carrier, with the earliest service introduction expected as early as the third quarter of 2026.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will prioritise Starlink installation on their long-haul Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Following the integration with Asiana Airlines, the airline plans to complete fleetwide installation by the end of 2027.
Jin Air will first equip its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, whilst Air Busan and Air Seoul will review their fleet to determine installation priority.
Starlink, SpaceX’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, delivers peak broadband speeds of up to 500 Mbps, enabling passengers to enjoy seamless streaming, online gaming, video calls, cloud-based work, shopping and messaging.
In Quotes
A Korean Air representative stated:
“Connectivity is an essential part of the travel experience, and with Starlink, our customers will stay connected with fast and seamless internet,” said
“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.”
Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX, said:
“We’re thrilled to deliver industry-leading, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi fleetwide to Korean Air and Hanjin Group airlines and their guests. With Starlink onboard, you’ll be able to continue working productively, stream your favorite shows, and game just as you can do on the ground.”
Per Economy Class and Beyond coverage, posts about Starlink are not open for comment, with no commentary provided.
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