Starlink Wi-Fi raises cost dilemma for LCCs

Korea’s low-cost carriers are facing a cost dilemma over rising demand for Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi, because installation and service fees are high. Korean Air has already started rolling out the service and plans broader fleet expansion by the end of 2027, while Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul are still preparing or reviewing aircraft. Smaller LCCs are expected to struggle to adopt it without raising fares, which industry officials said could squeeze earnings further.

Installing Starlink Wi-Fi equipment on each aircraft is estimated to cost $500,000, or 677 million won.

Korean Air began introducing the service in mid-September and initially focused on long-haul routes.

Korean Air plans to expand free Wi-Fi to most of its fleet by the end of 2027 after integrating with Asiana Airlines.

Jin Air plans to begin installing Starlink on its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, while Air Busan and Air Seoul are reviewing suitable aircraft.

Most LCCs, including Jin Air, Jeju Air and Trinity Airways, suffered tens of billions of won in operating loss in the second quarter amid a stronger U.S. dollar and unstable oil prices.

Published Sep 30, 2026 7:00 am KST

Starlink remains costly bet for most LCCs

Korean Air cabin crew members introduce the airline’s Starlink-powered in-flight Wi-Fi service aboard an aircraft. Courtesy of Korean Air

Korea’s low-cost carriers (LCCs) are caught in a dilemma over rising demand for Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi, as the service carries hefty installation and operating costs for most budget airlines.

Korean Air started introducing the service for the first time among local carriers in mid-September, initially focusing on long-haul routes. The flag carrier is expected to face few difficulties in expanding the service across its fleet stably due to the airline’s stronger financial resources than LCCs.

Korean Air plans to expand its free Wi-Fi service to most of its fleet by the end of 2027 following its integration with Asiana Airlines. The service will also be introduced to its LCC affiliates.

Jin Air plans to begin installing Starlink on its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, while Air Busan and Air Seoul are reviewing suitable aircraft for the system. The three LCCs will be merged into converged Jin Air following the integration of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

However, other LCCs controlled by smaller parent firms than Korean Air are widely expected to face a tougher cost challenge when introducing Starlink.

On top of that, their heavy reliance on short-haul routes means passengers have less time to use onboard internet, potentially limiting its appeal as a competitive tool.

Installing Starlink Wi-Fi equipment for each aircraft is estimated to cost $500,000 (677 million won). Service fees are also separately charged on carriers.

This comes as a serious cost burden to major LCCs here. Most LCCs, such as Jin Air, Jeju Air and Trinity Airways, suffered tens of billions of won in operating loss in the second quarter, hit by prolonged appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Korean won and unstable oil prices.

Starlink service expands among Korean shippers, airlines

Industry officials said most LCCs will not be able to adopt Starlink in the near future, as they would struggle to recoup the investment without raising fares.

“LCCs’ competitive edge still lies in their cheap ticket prices,” an aviation industry official said. “Even after adopting the service, they would find it difficult to raise ticket prices on fears of losing market share. This means Starlink could further squeeze their earnings, making few LCCs willing to take the risk.”

韩国低成本航空公司正面临着因机上Wi-Fi服务Starlink需求激增而带来的成本困境，因为安装和服务费用高昂。大韩航空已开始推出该服务，并计划在2027年底前扩大机队规模，而真航空、釜山航空和首尔航空仍在准备或评估相关机型。预计规模较小的低成本航空公司在不提高票价的情况下难以采用该服务，业内人士表示，票价上涨可能会进一步挤压其盈利空间。

在每架飞机上安装 Starlink Wi-Fi 设备预计耗资 50 万美元，约合 6.77 亿韩元。

大韩航空于9月中旬开始推出这项服务，最初主要集中在长途航线上。

大韩航空计划在与韩亚航空整合后，于 2027 年底前将其免费 Wi-Fi 服务扩展到旗下大部分机队。

真航空计划开始在其波音737-8飞机上安装星链，而釜山航空和首尔航空正在研究合适的飞机。

受美元走强和油价不稳定的影响，包括真航空、济州航空和三一航空在内的大多数低成本航空公司在第二季度遭受了数百亿韩元的营业亏损。

发布于2026年9月30日 上午7:00（韩国标准时间）

对于大多数低成本航空公司来说，星链仍然是一项成本高昂的投资。

大韩航空机组人员在飞机上介绍该航空公司基于星链（Starlink）技术的机上Wi-Fi服务。图片由大韩航空提供。

韩国的低成本航空公司 (LCC) 正面临着机上 Starlink Wi-Fi 需求不断增长的困境，因为这项服务对大多数廉价航空公司来说安装和运营成本都很高。

大韩航空于9月中旬率先在韩国本土航空公司中推出这项服务，初期主要集中在长途航线。由于大韩航空的财力远胜于低成本航空公司，预计这家旗舰航空公司在将其服务稳定推广至所有机型时不会遇到太多困难。

大韩航空计划在与韩亚航空完成整合后，于2027年底前将其免费Wi-Fi服务扩展至旗下大部分机队。该服务也将推广至其低成本航空公司。

真航空计划在其波音737-8飞机上安装星链网络，而釜山航空和首尔航空正在评估哪些机型适合安装该系统。这三家低成本航空公司将在大韩航空和韩亚航空合并后，合并为新的真航空。

然而，其他由比大韩航空规模更小的母公司控制的低成本航空公司，在引入星链服务时，预计将面临更严峻的成本挑战。

此外，由于他们严重依赖短途航线，乘客使用机上互联网的时间较少，这可能会限制其作为竞争工具的吸引力。

为每架飞机安装星链Wi-Fi设备预计耗资50万美元（6.77亿韩元）。此外，航空公司还需另行支付服务费。

这给韩国主要低成本航空公司带来了沉重的成本负担。受美元兑韩元持续升值和油价波动的影响，包括真航空、济州航空和三一航空在内的大多数低成本航空公司在第二季度都遭受了数百亿韩元的运营亏损。

星链服务在韩国货运公司和航空公司中扩展。

业内人士表示，大多数低成本航空公司在近期内将无法采用星链服务，因为如果不提高票价，它们将很难收回投资。

一位航空业官员表示：“低成本航空公司的竞争优势仍然在于其低廉的机票价格。即使采用这项服务，它们也很难提高票价，因为担心失去市场份额。这意味着星链可能会进一步挤压它们的利润空间，因此很少有低成本航空公司愿意承担风险。”