Korean Air has signed Viasat as its inflight connectivity provider for its new A321neo fleet. The airline is about to receive a total of 30 A321neos by 2027 as part of its fleet modernisation plan, all of which will be delivered linefit with Viasat connectivity solution.
The airline plans to operate the flights on short and mid-haul distance connecting the airline’s main hub in Seoul and destinations across Asia region.
"Our selection process started in 2018 and we've been focused on selecting the right solution that meets our business needs and can help us realize the untapped potential of our onboard experience," said Kenneth Chang, executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "The new connectivity system will be a fundamental part of our digital strategy and customer experience going forward. Coupled with the advanced features of our fuel-efficient, next-generation A321neo aircraft, we look forward to taking our passenger experience to the next level."
"We are proud to add Korean Air, a leading airline, as a valued inflight connectivity customer in this major market," said Jimmy Dodd, senior vice president, global enterprise & mobility at Viasat. "Key to our ability to service Korean Air's new A321neo fleet is our robust satellite network, designed to deliver fast and reliable Wi-Fi for an exceptional passenger experience."
The selection was secured in partnership with hardware provider Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) to develop the solution required by Korean Air. This included combining inflight connectivity (IFC) airtime and Safran's Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) hardware.