On October 3, an Asiana Airlines flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Incheon International Airport featured Starlink technology. Before takeoff, passengers were informed about the Starlink service, prompting them to check the in-flight Wi-Fi on their phones.
After switching to airplane mode and opening the settings, the network 'flyasiana.com' appeared as available. Upon connecting, a message displayed: 'Experience high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi as fast as on the ground,' along with a link copy button.
Upon selecting the link, guidelines for comfortable Wi-Fi use were presented, including: wearing headphones is mandatory, voice and video calls are prohibited, unauthorized filming and live streaming are not allowed, and content usage etiquette. After agreeing to these terms, two advertisements of 58 seconds and 26 seconds played before the connection was established.
The Starlink Wi-Fi, offering speeds up to 500 Mbps, provided a smooth internet experience. Passengers could browse the web, watch YouTube, and access OpenAI without interruptions. This service was significantly faster and more convenient than the previous paid Wi-Fi options, which cost $11.95 for one hour or $21.95 for unlimited use. Starlink is offered for free, allowing passengers to enjoy internet access at altitudes exceeding 10,000 meters, eliminating the feeling of disconnection during long flights.
The Wi-Fi connection remained uninterrupted for approximately 15 hours. Although the initial flight path was expected to take the plane from New York across North America, Alaska, and China, passengers were able to continue using the service as the flight headed toward Japan after passing Alaska. Starlink does not provide service in China, India, or Pakistan.
Asiana Airlines currently operates Starlink services on a total of 12 aircraft, including the Airbus A350-900 and A330-300. These planes are primarily deployed on medium to long-haul routes to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The airline plans to gradually expand the Starlink-equipped fleet starting with its remaining aircraft.
An Asiana Airlines official stated, 'In line with the launch of the integrated airline, we will increase the number of Starlink-equipped aircraft to provide differentiated services.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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