Viasat has been chosen by Korean Air, the national airline of South Korea, to provide in-flight connectivity for an additional 40 aircraft. This decision follows a previous announcement that Korean Air would equip 30 Airbus A321Neos with Viasat’s connectivity solutions, marking the airline’s first venture into in-flight connectivity.
The total number of Korean Air planes set to feature Viasat’s service will now reach 70, with all installations expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The inclusion of Viasat’s in-flight Wi-Fi across a significant portion of its fleet reflects Korean Air’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience by meeting the growing demand for onboard connectivity.
Viasat’s service will enable passengers on Korean Air flights to access a range of online activities, including browsing the internet, using social media, streaming video and audio content, online shopping, and working, all from their seats.
Executive Insights on the Importance of Enhancing Passenger Experience
Kenneth Chang, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Korean Air, emphasized the airline’s dedication to passenger satisfaction, stating, “Our focus on enhancing passenger experience is crucial to our business – and adding more connectivity to our fleet will be a key step forward in achieving this. Bringing Viasat’s reliable, high-speed connectivity to more Korean Air flights means even more of our valued passengers will be able to benefit from exceptional Wi-Fi onboard.”
Don Buchman, Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Aviation at Viasat, also commented on the partnership, “Korean Air is a world class airline, and we’re really pleased to be extending our relationship as they continue to innovate to meet passenger demand for quality in-flight connectivity.
We know that passengers around the world want to be connected in-flight, and our robust satellite network brings the reliable connectivity that enables this. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Korean Air to leverage consistently fast, high-quality Wi-Fi to deliver distinct digital experiences to more of its passengers.”
The Growing Importance of In-Flight Connectivity in Air Travel Preferences
This expansion in in-flight connectivity comes at a time when the demand among passengers for such services is high. According to Viasat’s 2023 Passenger Experience Survey, 81% of passengers in South Korea indicated that quality in-flight Wi-Fi would influence their decision to rebook with an airline, with 80% of respondents stating that access to Wi-Fi during flights is “important” to them. This data underscores the growing expectation for continuous connectivity during air travel.