Seoul, South Korea – Korean Air has significantly expanded its in-flight Wi-Fi service, with one in four of its fleet now equipped to offer passengers high-speed internet connectivity.
As of this month, the airline has installed Wi-Fi on an additional four aircraft, bringing the total number of Wi-Fi-enabled planes to 34 out of its 135-strong fleet. The equipped aircraft include 14 A321neos, 7 B777-300ERs, 5 B737-8s, 5 B737-10s, 2 A330-300s, and 1 B737-900ER.
The in-flight Wi-Fi system works by receiving data from a satellite antenna on top of the aircraft and transmitting it to passengers' personal devices. Korean Air first introduced in-flight Wi-Fi in 2005 but discontinued the service a year later due to slow speeds and low demand. However, the airline relaunched the service in June 2022 on international flights operated by B737-8 aircraft, and expanded it to domestic flights in May this year.
"We plan to gradually expand the in-flight Wi-Fi service to all of our aircraft," said a Korean Air official.
Korean Air is not alone in offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Other major South Korean carriers, including Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, and Air Premia, also provide the service. Asiana Airlines began offering Wi-Fi on its A350-900 aircraft in May 2017, and currently provides the service on 15 of its 69 A350-900s.
Air Premia started its Wi-Fi service in 2021 and currently offers it on three of its six B787-9 aircraft, with plans to expand the service to all its aircraft. Jin Air began offering Wi-Fi on its international flights operated by B787-8 aircraft in January this year and currently provides the service on five of these aircraft.
Globally, German carrier Lufthansa was the first airline to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi in 2004, and major carriers such as Delta Air Lines and Air Canada also offer the service. Some airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines, have introduced free in-flight Wi-Fi using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service.
"Many passengers prefer to enjoy real-time content like YouTube and mobile games rather than the limited in-flight entertainment options," said an industry official. "In-flight Wi-Fi is becoming an essential service and it won't be long before it becomes standard on all flights."
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